Individuals or organisations which provide certain licensable activities, such as selling alcohol, providing regulated entertainment, or supplying late-night refreshment, must hold licences to authorise these activities, under the Licensing Act 2003.
Find out more information about alcohol and entertainment licensing and how you can apply by visiting the links on the right of this page.
COVID-19 advice
All applications must be submitted electronically to licensing@bedford.gov.uk and related payments must be made online at our online payment page.
There are new regulations for alcohol licensing as part of the new national lockdown announced on 4 January 2021. Hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha bars), pubs, cafes, restaurants, and social clubs must close except for takeaway, delivery and click and collect services. (Please note alcohol cannot be provided by takeaway). This includes restaurants and bars within hotels or members' clubs).
Please refer to the latest Government guidance on keeping workers and customers safe during Covid-19 in restaurants, pubs, bars and takeaway services.
During the Coronavirus outbreak the licensing team remains operational with reduced staff and facilities and is working to continue to support local businesses, whilst promoting the licensing objectives. As far as possible, we will endeavour to process LA2003 applications by email. Our COVID-19 advice for alcohol licensing provides important information and guidance to help you at this time.
Some businesses will be able to continue to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises where authorised by the premises licence. If this applies to your business, please read this advice for an alcohol delivery service. Advice for premises with a premises licence who want to operate an alcohol delivery licence.
Please refer to latest Government guidance on maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace.
Licensing Act 2003
The Licensing Act 2003 introduced significant changes to licensing laws. The provisions of that Act, as originally enacted, has, in turn, been subsequently amended significantly and amalgamated six existing licensing regimes:
- alcohol
- public entertainment
- cinemas
- theatres
- late night refreshment houses
- night cafes
Within this section you can:
- download application forms
- find out general information about what we do
- pay for a licence
Downloadable documents
To download copies of the information leaflets and application forms regarding the Licensing Act 2003, please go to the relevant pages listed below:
- Premises Licence
- Club Premise Certificate
- Personal Licence
- Temporary Event Notice
- Late Temporary Event Notice (Less than 10 days before event)
- LA2003 review guidance for residents
Cumulative Impact Policy areas adopted
Bedford Licensing Study and Cumulative Impact Assessment
Please note that with effect from May 2018 three Cumulative Impact Policy areas apply to the following licence types. Details of the premises which are within the boundary areas are available via the links below.
- High Street zone area - On-premises and late night refreshment premises. CIP 1 The High Street Zone
- Midland Road zone area - Off-licences and late night refreshment premises. CIP 2 Midland Road Area
- Tavistock Street zone area - Off Licences and late night refreshment premises. CIP 3 Tavistock Street Area
The effect of adopting a Cumulative Impact Policy is to create a "rebuttable presumption". That is, if relevant representations are received, applications for new premises licences and club premises certificates or material variations to existing licences / certificates will not be granted, unless the applicant can demonstrate that the operation of the premises involved will not add to the cumulative impact being experience in a particular area.
Please contact the Licensing Team for further information if required.
Public Registers
A Public Register showing details of a premise can be viewed at the links below:
- Premises Licences (PDF)
- New Premises Licences (PDF)
- Premises Variations (PDF)
Further information
General matters:
- Statement of Licensing Policy 2018-2023 (PDF)
- Guidance to Members dealing with Licensing Matters (PDF)
- Guidance Making Representations (PDF)
- Guidance Appealing Licensing Decisions (PDF)
- Guidance Applying for a Review (PDF)
Film classification policy
View the full film classification policy here: Film classification policy
The level of the fee for the classification of films is set at £75, plus £1 per minute for the full length of the submitted work and any translation fee is met by the applicant.
GDPR and Privacy Statements
View the full GDPR privacy statement for Licensing here
Contact Licensing
Should you require further information please contact the Licensing Team as follows:
Email: Licensing@bedford.gov.uk
Bedford Borough Council
Licensing Service
Cauldwell Street
Bedford MK42 9AP
