- a special event or occasion to be catered for on the premises; or
- a special event of local or national significance
An extended hours licence is effective by the period of time granted by the Licensing Board, however, the period of grant can be no more than one month. An extended hours licence will only be granted for a special event or occasion or an event of national significance. Regular events, by definition, cannot be considered special or significant. Each application will be treated on its own merits, but the following events could be considered special or significant:
- Weddings
- Birthdays
- Charity fundraisers
- Christmas and New Year Celebrations
- Local and National celebrations
Completing your application
How to apply
You can also use the downloadable form to apply for an extended hours licence.
The information you have supplied on this form will be used for the purpose for which you have provided it, and appropriate measures are in place to protect your personal data. A full privacy notice, which provides information about your rights under current data protection legislation and details about what will happen to your personal data can be found here:
The information supplied in support of the application is crucial. In this respect, the Argyll and Bute Licensing Board Policy Statement 2013 - 2016 advises at paragraph 8.9:
“...the applicant will have to demonstrate the hours requested are appropriate in the circumstances. The applicant should provide to the Board sufficient information to enable a decision to be made. This will include :-
i. hours sought;
ii. the description of the special event or occasion;
iii. what activities are proposed to take place during the hours sought;
iv. when each activity will take place;
v. why the event or occasion is considered to be special; and
vi. why the event or occasion cannot take place within the on-sales hours...”
Please note that applications require to be submitted 35 days prior to the event.
Fast Track Applications - for the use of purveys (wakes)
Licensing boards are able to grant an extended hours licence where statutory timescales would otherwise render processing impossible. (These are used for purveys (wakes).) In such circumstances the submission time of an application can be reduced from 35 days to no less than 24 hours where the Licensing Board is satisfied that normal timescales should be waived. Applicants should make contact with the Licensing Board prior to any “Fast Track” application being made.
Applicants are reminded that Fast Track applications must conform to the “special event” requirements above.
If you require further information on extended hours licences please contact one of the licensing standards officers.