Change a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

When the person responsible for overseeing alcohol sales changes within an organisation, the premises licence must also be updated. If a manager leaves unexpectedly or a new operator takes control of the premises, the change of DPS can be time sensitive. An incomplete or incorrect application could leave the business unable to sell alcohol lawfully.

Complete Licensing prepares the DPS change application, obtains the necessary consents and manages the process with the licensing authority and the police.

If you need to change the DPS on your premises licence, call us on 0207 222 2345 or contact our team.

What is a Designated Premises Supervisor?

Under the Licensing Act 2003, a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) should be named on a premises licence and is able to authorise the sale or supply of alcohol. To act as a DPS, the individual must hold a personal licence and will usually have day-to-day responsibility for alcohol licensing at the premises.

A premises licence that authorises the sale of alcohol should specify one DPS. The DPS is the person responsible for understanding how the premises operates, maintaining appropriate oversight of alcohol sales and acting as the main point of contact for the police and licensing authority.

A DPS does not have to be available when alcohol is sold, but every sale should be authorised by a personal licence holder and the premises must comply with its licence conditions.

When do you need to change the DPS?

You may need to change the Designated Premises Supervisor when:

• the existing DPS leaves the business
• a new manager takes responsibility for the premises
• the business or premises licence is transferred to a new operator
• the existing DPS asks to be removed from the licence
• the DPS no longer holds a valid personal licence
• the operator appoints a more suitable personal licence holder
• management responsibilities change within a group of licensed premises

A change of DPS needs to be submitted via a specific application to vary the licence so it names the proposed replacement. If the existing DPS has already left or intends to withdraw, the application should be dealt with promptly. A premises requiring a DPS cannot continue selling alcohol without an appropriately authorised individual named on its licence.

Need help finding a DPS?

If your existing DPS is leaving and you are having difficulty finding a replacement, Complete Licensing can help you find a new one for your premises licence. We have the ability to find experienced personal licence holders who may be suitable for the role. We take account of the nature of your premises, its operating hours and the level of involvement required when choosing the right person for your premises.

Appointing a DPS is an important part of your premises licence, and it is essential that the proposed individual understands your premises, has sufficient authority within the business and has the ability to oversee alcohol licensing arrangements effectively.

After identifying a suitable person, we are able to obtain their consent, prepare the DPS change application and manage the process from start to finish.

How the DPS change application process works

The premises licence holder can apply to vary the premises licence to specify a different individual as the DPS. An authorised agent can prepare and submit the application on the licence holder’s behalf.

We can help you check documents, prepare the application and ensure it is submitted to the correct parties, following the process below.

1. Tell us about the premises

Send us the premises name and address, the details of the premises licence holder, a copy of the current premises licence and information about the existing DPS. We will also need to know when the change should take effect and whether your premises is currently selling alcohol.

2. We check the proposed DPS

The proposed DPS must hold a valid personal licence and agree to the role. We check all the relevant details and ensure the chosen person understands they are being nominated as the Designated Premises Supervisor. If you need to find a DPS for your premises licence, we can help identify an experienced personal licence holder who may be suitable for the role.

3. We prepare the application

We complete the DPS change application form and prepare the DPS consent documentation. We check the names, licence details and other relevant information before the application is submitted.

4. The application is submitted

We submit the DPS change application to the licensing authority for the area in which your premises is located. The police must also receive the required documentation, and the existing DPS must be notified where applicable.

5. The police consider the application

Once submitted, the police have 14 days to consider the DPS. They may object in exceptional circumstances if they believe the appointment would undermine the crime prevention objective. Most applications proceed without objection if they have been prepared properly.

6. The licence is updated

If no police objection is made, the change is granted and the licensing authority issues an updated premises licence naming the new DPS.

Can a DPS change take effect immediately?

The premises licence holder is able to request a change of DPS to take immediate interim effect. If this is requested correctly, the proposed DPS can take the role on while the application is being formally considered. This can prevent any interruption to alcohol sales in the event of a manager leaving suddenly or responsibility for the premises changing at short notice.

Changing the DPS when a business changes hands

A change of business ownership may mean two separate applications are required:

• a transfer of the premises licence to the new licence holder
• a change of Designated Premises Supervisor

Changing the DPS does not transfer ownership of the premises licence, and transferring the licence does not automatically replace the DPS. Both parts of the licensing position should be checked as part of the handover.

What to send us

When contacting us about a change of DPS, we will often ask for the following:

• the premises name and address
• a copy of the current premises licence
• the name of the premises licence holder
• the name of the existing DPS
• the proposed DPS’s full details
• a copy of the proposed DPS’s personal licence
• the date you want the change to take effect
• details of any correspondence from the police or licensing authority
• confirmation of whether the premises is currently selling alcohol

If your DPS has already left and you do not have all of the required documents, contact us with the information you do have. We can help you with the next steps.

Who you are working with

Our consultants include licensing lawyers and barristers, former senior police officers, environmental health and acoustic specialists, and people who have run late-night venues themselves. This allows us to consider both the administrative requirements of the application and whether the proposed arrangements are likely to work in practice.

Important information about our status

Complete Licensing Limited is an independent licensing consultancy. We are not a law firm and we are not authorised or regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or any other approved legal services regulator.

We provide licensing consultancy, application management and representation at local authority licensing hearings. We do not undertake reserved legal activities and we do not represent clients in court. Our services do not carry the protections that come with instructing a regulated law firm: the Legal Ombudsman and the SRA Compensation Fund do not apply to our work, and complaints are handled under our own complaints procedure.

Questions and answers about DPS changes

How do I change a Designated Premises Supervisor?

The premises licence holder or an authorised agent must apply to the relevant authority to vary the licence and name the proposed replacement. The application requires the proposed DPS’s consent and supporting documents. The police and the existing DPS must also be notified.

Who can apply for a change of Designated Premises Supervisor?

The application should be made by the premises licence holder or someone authorised to act on their behalf. The proposed DPS can only change the licence themselves if they are also the premises licence holder or are authorised to submit the application on the holder’s behalf.

Does a DPS need a personal licence?

Yes. The named DPS on a premises licence must be someone who holds a personal licence.

Does the DPS have to work at the premises?

The DPS should have involvement in the premises and authority to oversee alcohol licensing arrangements. They do not have to be present when alcohol is sold, but appointing someone with no meaningful connection can create regulatory concerns.

Can a premises have more than one DPS?

No, only one individual can be named as the DPS on a premises licence. Other personal licence holders can work at the premises and authorise alcohol sales, but cannot operate as additional Designated Premises Supervisors.

How long does a DPS change application take?

The police have 14 days from receiving the application to raise any objections. If no objection is made, the application can be granted without a hearing. The time taken to issue the revised licence can vary between licensing authorities.

Can a premises continue to sell alcohol while the DPS change is processed?

It may be possible to continue selling alcohol where immediate interim effect has been correctly requested as part of a valid application. The position should be confirmed rather than assumed.

Do community premises need a DPS?

Some community premises can apply to remove the requirement to have a Designated Premises Supervisor. This can apply to premises such as village halls, chapel halls and community halls where alcohol sales are managed by a committee or management board.