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Guidance On Designated Premises Supervisor


A Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) is the person identified on the premises licence as the person who supervises the premises.

Any premises where alcohol is supplied under a premises licence must have a DPS.

The DPS must be a personal licence holder

There may only be one DPS named for any premise licence.

The DPS will be named in the premises licence, a summary of which must be displayed on the premises.

The DPS will not necessarily be the premises licence holder, although this may often be the case. They will be the point of contact for the premises at all times for the Licensing Authority and for all Responsible Authorities.

Any application for a Premises Licence must also include a form of consent given by the individual Personal Licence holder whom the applicant wishes to have specified as the DPS.


Does the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) have to be on the premises at all times when alcohol is being sold?

No. In some cases this may not be physically possible. However, it will be expected that the DPS will spend a significant amount of time on the premises and it is essential that the DPS is able to be contactable at all times. This is particularly important when problems arise on the premises.


Can an objection be made to the person specified as the DPS?

Yes, but only from the Chief Officer of Police, where it might be that the crime prevention objective could be undermined by the appointment of the person specified.


What happens when a DPS leaves his/her employment?

The DPS must give notice to the relevant Licensing Authority that they wish to be removed from the Premises Licence.

Within 48 hours of the notice to the Licensing Authority, the DPS must provide a copy of this notice to the Premises Licence holder.

The DPS is also required to send a notice to the Premises Licence holder directing that the Premises Licence must be sent to the relevant Licensing Authority within 14 days of receipt of the notice.


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