Where the Kent Licensing Office Is Located and What It Handles
Kent's licensing office is run by the local authority and handles permits and registrations for businesses and activities that require council approval. The main office is in Canterbury, but Kent County Council also operates satellite offices in other towns across the county. The specific address and opening hours depend on which district you live in — Kent is divided into 12 district councils, each with its own licensing team.
The licensing office issues permits for premises that serve alcohol, late-night food, gambling, taxis, street trading, and certain other regulated activities. They also handle applications to vary existing licenses and process objections from the public. If you need a license, the office that covers your location is determined by where your business or premises is physically situated, not where you live.
You can find your local district council's contact details and opening hours on the Kent County Council website or by calling the main switchboard. Each district publishes its own licensing policy, which sets out the rules and fees for different types of license in that area.
Key Takeaways
- Kent's 12 district councils each run their own licensing office, so you need to contact the one covering your premises location, not your home address.
- The licensing office issues permits for alcohol, food, gambling, taxis, and other regulated activities, and also handles changes to existing licenses.
- Opening hours and contact details vary by district, and you can find them on your local council's website or by phone.
- Each district publishes a licensing policy that explains the rules, fees, and timescales for different types of license in that area.
How to Contact Your Local Licensing Office
Start by identifying which district council covers your premises. The 12 districts are Ashford, Dartford, Dover, Gravesham, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Swale, Thanet, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, and Folkestone and Hythe. Once you know your district, visit that council's website and search for "licensing" — you will find a dedicated licensing page with phone numbers, email addresses, and office locations.
Most districts offer multiple ways to contact them: phone during office hours, email for non-urgent queries, and in-person visits by appointment. Some offices also accept applications by post or online through their website. Phone contact is fastest if you have a straightforward question about fees or timescales, but email is useful if you need to attach documents or want a written record of the response.
If you cannot find your district council's details, call Kent County Council's main switchboard and ask to be transferred to the licensing team for your area. They will give you the direct number and tell you the current opening hours.
What Documents and Information You Will Need
The documents required depend on the type of license you are seeking. For an alcohol license, you will typically need proof of your right to work in the UK, details of the premises (address, floor plan, capacity), and evidence that you have notified the police and fire service. For a taxi license, you will need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, proof of a valid driving license, and proof of vehicle insurance.
Before you start gathering documents, read the process form for your specific license type from your district council's website. The form will list exactly what you need to submit. Some councils also publish a checklist to help you prepare. If you are unsure whether a document meets their requirements, email the licensing team with a description or photo — they can tell you before you submit the full process.
Fees vary by district and by license type. Most councils publish a fees schedule on their website. Some licenses are free, while others cost between £100 and several hundred pounds. Fees are usually non-refundable even if your process is refused.
How Long Applications Take and What Happens Next
The time to process an process depends on the license type and whether there are objections from the public or other agencies. A straightforward process for a new premises license for alcohol typically takes 8 to 12 weeks from submission to decision. A variation to an existing license is often faster, sometimes 4 to 6 weeks. Taxi licenses and other types have different timescales — your district's licensing policy will state the standard time for each.
Once you submit your process, the licensing office will check it is complete. If documents are missing, they will ask you to provide them within a set time, usually 10 working days. If you do not respond, your process may be rejected. After the process is accepted as complete, the council publishes it and invites objections from the public, the police, fire service, and other statutory bodies. This consultation period is usually 28 days.
If no objections are received, the licensing officer may grant the license without a hearing. If objections are made, a licensing committee hearing will be held, usually within 8 to 10 weeks of the end of the consultation period. You will be invited to attend and present your case. The committee will then decide whether to grant, refuse, or grant with conditions.
Common Reasons Applications Are Refused or Delayed
Applications are most often refused or delayed because documents are missing or incomplete. Incomplete applications are sent back to you, which adds weeks to the process. Make sure you submit every document listed on the process form, even if you think it is not relevant. If a document is not available (for example, you cannot get a reference from a previous employer), include a letter explaining why and what you have done instead.
Objections from the police or fire service are common and do not automatically mean your process will be refused. They usually raise concerns about crime prevention, public safety, or public nuisance. You will have a chance to respond to their concerns at the hearing. Many applications are granted with additional conditions — for example, extra CCTV, a door supervisor, or reduced opening hours — rather than refused outright.
Delays also happen when the licensing office is processing a high volume of applications. During busy periods, timescales can slip by several weeks. If your process is taking longer than the published timescale, contact the licensing team and ask for an update. They can sometimes prioritise applications if there is a genuine business reason for speed.
What to Do If Your process Is Refused
If your process is refused, the licensing committee will give you written reasons. You have a right to request a written copy of the decision and the evidence considered. Read the decision carefully to understand which of the licensing objectives — crime prevention, public safety, public nuisance, or child protection — the committee believed you had not met.
You can appeal a refusal to the magistrates' court within 21 days of the decision. An appeal is a legal process and you may want to seek information from a solicitor or licensing consultant before you proceed. The court will review the committee's decision and can uphold it, overturn it, or send it back to the committee for reconsideration. Appeals are not free and you may be ordered to pay the council's legal costs if you lose.
Alternatively, you can reapply for the license after a period of time has passed. There is no fixed waiting period, but councils usually expect you to address the reasons for refusal before you reapply. If you reapply without making changes, your process is likely to be refused again.
Variations, Transfers, and Renewals
If you already hold a license and want to change something — for example, extend opening hours, add a new activity, or move to different premises — you explore for a variation. Variations are usually faster than new applications and may not require a full hearing if there are no objections. Some minor variations can be approved by the licensing officer without a committee hearing.
If you want to transfer a license to a new owner or operator, you submit a transfer process. The new person must meet the same requirements as if they were explore for a new license. Transfers are usually processed within 4 to 6 weeks if there are no objections.
Most licenses must be renewed every three years. The licensing office will usually write to you before your license expires and tell you how to renew. Renewal applications are simpler than new applications because you are not changing the premises or the activity. Fees for renewal are usually lower than for a new license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore online or do I have to go to the office in person?
Most Kent councils accept applications by post, email, or online through their website. You do not usually need to visit the office to submit an process. However, if your process is incomplete or the council has questions, they may ask you to come in or provide documents by a certain date. If your process goes to a hearing, you will be invited to attend in person to present your case.
What happens if I operate without a license?
Operating a licensable activity without a license is a criminal offense. The council's enforcement team can issue a prohibition notice, which stops you operating when ready. You can also be prosecuted and fined. If you are unsure whether you need a license, contact your local licensing office and ask — it is free to ask.
How much does a license cost?
Fees vary by district and license type. Some licenses are free, while others range from £100 to several hundred pounds. Your district council publishes a fees schedule on its website. Fees are usually non-refundable even if your process is refused, so check the cost before you explore.
Can I object to someone else's license process?
Yes. When the council publishes a new process, it invites objections from the public. You can object if you believe the license would undermine one of the four licensing objectives: crime prevention, public safety, public nuisance, or child protection. Your objection must be in writing and submitted within the consultation period, usually 28 days. The council will consider your objection and may invite you to speak at the hearing.
What if I disagree with a condition attached to my license?
You can explore to the licensing committee to review or remove a condition. You must show that the condition is no longer necessary to meet the licensing objectives or that circumstances have changed. You can also appeal to the magistrates' court if you believe the condition is unreasonable. Contact your local licensing office for information on the best route for your situation.