Home Office publishes latest statistics on premises licences

The figures combine the data received from 336 of the 350 local authorities (96%) with estimates for the remaining authorities.

The number of premises licences is the same as on 31 March 2010 but 2% more than 31 March 2009 (198,000) and 3% more than 31 March 2008 (195,800). The figures weren’t collected for 2011.

Within the 2012 total: 35,500 premises were licensed for on-sales of alcohol only (up 1% on 2010), 51,100 premises were licensed for off-sales or supply of alcohol only (up 5%), and 82,900 premises were licensed for on- or off-sales or supply (up 1%). The remaining 32,500 premises were not permitted to sell alcohol, down 9% on 2010.

Meanwhile, there were 502,400 personal licences in force in England and Wales on 31st March 2012, 16% more than the 434,200 on 31 March 2010 (includes estimates for non-response).

According to the statistics, there were 8,400 premises with 24-hour alcohol licences in force in England and Wales on 31 March 2012, 8% more than the 7,800 on 31 March 2010 (includes estimates for non-response).

The estimated number of 24-hour alcohol licences have increased year on year since the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003. Since 2010, the largest increases were in other premise types (up 38%) and supermarkets and stores (up 18%).

Based on the 327 out of 350 LAs (93%) who provided data, there were 10,161 new premises licences applied for, of which 9,380 were granted (97% of all decided outcomes) and 338 were refused. Newly granted premises licences accounted for around 5% of the total number of premises licences in force on 31st March 2012.

There were 6,812 variation applications made to change the terms of a licence, of which 6,298 were granted (97% of all decided outcomes), and 196 refused (3%).

95% of licence reviews were completed in 2011/12 with crime and disorder issues being the main reason for a review (83%), followed by public nuisance (82%), public safety (80%), and protection of children (79%). More than one reason can apply to each review.

The police were the main responsible authority instigating the completed reviews, instigating 575 reviews (61% of the total). Trading standards officers instigated 20% of reviews, environmental health officers 10%, local residents 7% and ‘Other’ 2% (includes fire and rescue authorities, residents’ associations, members of the public (apart from individual local residents) and local businesses).

For more information visit the Home Office website​.