Sector guide
16 obligations that are typically legally required, 19 in all — with the legislation, renewal frequency and penalties behind each.
A licensed venue stacks licensing-law duties — the premises licence, its conditions, Challenge 25 — on top of assembly-level fire safety and, wherever food is served, the full kitchen compliance load.
This guide lists the obligations that typically apply to a licensed premises in England & Wales, with the legislation, renewal frequency and penalties for each.
The duties that generally apply to premises like yours under UK law, with what enforcement can look like.
Licensing Act 2003 (alcohol); Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc.) Order 2007; Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016
Selling age-restricted goods to under-18s is a criminal offence: underage alcohol sale up to GBP 5,000 (and risk to the premises licence); underage tobacco/vape sale up to GBP 2,500.
Licensing Act 2003 (ss.15, 19, 37, 127)
No supply of alcohol may be made without a Designated Premises Supervisor holding a valid personal licence (s.19 mandatory conditions) — supply in breach is a s.136 offence: up to 6 months' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
GBP 2,500 per day without it; GBP 1,000 for not displaying certificate
Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations
Unlawful to let with F or G rating; fines vary
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005; Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
Enforced under the RRFSO 2005.
Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
HSW Act 1974; COSHH 2002; ACoP L8
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974 and COSHH 2002: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Licensing Act 2003 (ss.136, 51-52, 57)
Operating in breach of licence conditions (hours, noise, CCTV, dispersal…) is a s.136 offence (up to 6 months' imprisonment, unlimited fine) and exposes the licence to review and revocation (ss.51-52).
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; HSW Act 1974
Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Licensing Act 2003 (ss.26, 136)
Carrying on a licensable activity without/against the licence is an offence (s.136): up to 6 months' imprisonment and an unlimited fine; the licence can also be reviewed and revoked (ss.51-52).
Licensing Act 2003 (ss.55(2), 55A); Licensing Act 2003 (Fees) Regulations 2005
Non-payment triggers MANDATORY suspension of the premises licence by the licensing authority (s.55A, after a 21-day grace period) — trading under a suspended licence is a s.136 offence (unlimited fine, up to 6 months).
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013; HSW Act 1974
Failure to report is a criminal offence: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Environmental Protection Act 1990 s34; Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011
Breach of the waste duty of care is a criminal offence: summary conviction a fine; on indictment an unlimited fine.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 s2(3)
Failure to prepare/revise a written policy where required is an offence under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Extra duties that switch on with a feature of the building or how you operate.
Gas appliances or a gas boiler
A passenger or goods lift
Pressure systems (boilers, compressors)
Computer workstations
A commercial kitchen or food preparation
Heavy lifting or moving people
Hazardous substances (COSHH)
Work at height (ladders, roofs)
Workplace vehicles or forklifts
Fume or dust extraction (LEV)
A swimming or spa pool
A building constructed before 2000
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This guide highlights the obligations, frequencies and penalties that typically apply to premises like yours in England & Wales — general information to help you act on your duties, not legal advice and not a definitive statement of your position. You remain the duty-holder; take your own professional advice where you need certainty. Keeval is a trading name of Brenkon Holdings Limited (no. 16987530).