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    Designated Premises Supervisors And Personal Licences?

    When it comes to getting a Personal Licence, there can still be a lot of confusion as to who actually needs one when working in a bar or pub. 

    Get Access To A FREE APLH Personal Licence Course – Limited Time Only

    What is a Designated Premises Supervisor?

    If a venue is serving and distributing alcohol to the public, only one person will require a Personal Licence and not every single member of staff on the payroll, that includes the bar staff, waiters and toilet cleaners.

    Only one person that works within that venue requires a Personal Licence for that venue to be able to sell alcohol legally, and that is the Designated Premises Supervisor.

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    What is a Designated Premises Supervisor?

    A Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) is an individual who holds a valid personal licence and is named on a premises licence which authorises the sale by retail of alcohol.

    Basically, without them, no one is getting served alcohol, and that kinda defeats the purpose of going to a bar or pub in the first place.

    Whoever holds the prestigious title of Designated Premises Supervisor will be named on the licence and will need to be named on any application and give their consent to acting.

    Barista woman using her touchscreen digital tablet

    Does the Designated Premises Supervisor need to be at the venue when alcohol is being sold?

    No. While there is a myth that a Designated Premises Supervisor has to literally be at the venue when alcohol is being sold at all times, the truth is that they need not be on-site at all times and can authorise other members of staff to sell alcohol.

    However, they are expected to be involved enough with the business to be able to act as its representative, and they must be contactable at all times, this includes the Police and Local authorities.

    How to get a personal licence

    If you are interested in applying for a Personal Licence, you will need to pass an APLH training course first. Once you have completed the APLH course, will you then be able to apply for a Personal Licence.

    Have you downloaded the Personal Licence App?

    Get your Personal Licence the easy way with the Personal Licence App. It has everything you need to get your Personal Licence, all in one place. 

    The Personal Licence App lets you access free learning materials to pass your Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) exam including:

    • Free mock exams
    • Free course videos
    • Free course handbook

    Download from the App Store

    Download from the Google Play Store

    Get Access To A FREE APLH Personal Licence Course – Limited Time Only

    Summary
    Article Name
    What Is A Designated Premises Supervisor And Why Do They Need A Personal Licence?
    Description
    A question that often pops up when applying for a Personal Licence is, what and who is a Designated Premises Supervisor? Find out here.
    Get Licensed

    This blog is for informational purposes only. Please verify details independently before making decisions. Get Licensed is not liable for any actions based on this content.


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    By Shahzad Ali

    Founder and CEO

    Shahzad Ali is a visionary entrepreneur recognised for his significant contributions to the UKโ€™s security training and staffing industry. In 2007, he co-founded Get Licensed, aiming to simplify the process of obtaining professional security licenses and connecting trained personnel with businesses. In 2023, Shahzad launched GuardPass, a digital platform designed to streamline security personnel management.

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