Selling alcohol in the new year? Get properly licensed

No sooner than the Christmas decorations are boxed away, January begins with full force. Budgets refresh, new staff join, and demand spikes across hospitality.

The calm is over, and this is the moment to get ahead. Before the new-year rush hits, now is the time to sort your licensing so you are not stuck waiting while others are already trading.

A common trap is alcohol-licensing delays. Many traders underestimate how long approvals take or find themselves stuck in January queues with slow local-authority response times. Even though it is the season of “fresh starts”, licensing can still move at a crawl, so do not wait.

Hold That Licence

A Personal Licence Holder oversees how alcohol is sold and ensures staff follow the rules. They do not need to always be physically present, but they must be responsible for how sales are conducted. For mobile traders, the owner usually fills this role. For businesses with multiple units or new January hires, managers often become the natural choice. With teams growing in the new year, make sure the right people are qualified and prepared.

How Do I Get One?

You apply for a Personal Licence through your local council, but before that, you must complete the required qualification, the Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH). The Digital College, NCASS’s trusted training partner, offers an accredited online APLH course, as well as the Scottish equivalent.

The training is fast, flexible and easy to complete around your schedule. There is no need for classrooms, travel or downtime when staff are on the clock. This is what sets The Digital College apart. The training is streamlined, the guidance is clear and the online format genuinely respects your time. Start your year with training that keeps your business moving.

Once you have passed the qualification, follow these steps:
1.  Obtain a DBS check.
2.  Have two passport photographs signed by a professional.
3.  Send your application, your qualification certificate, your DBS and your photographs to your local authority.
4.  Pay the fee, usually around forty pounds. Be aware that approvals can take more than a month, especially during January.

Case Study Spotlights

📌 Case Study: “A course that just makes sense” One recent learner told us the online APLH training was “really well presented and easy to follow.” They highlighted that being able to pause, revisit sections, and get help when needed made the course accessible even during a busy workweek. The flexibility meant they could learn at their own pace and confidently pass.

📌 Case Study: “Clarity when you need it” Another trader praised the clear explanations around alcohol-selling responsibilities. For them, the course did more than cover the basics, it helped them understand how regulations apply in day-to-day hospitality settings, giving them confidence before heading into peak season.

📌 Case Study: “From training to licence in one smooth process” A hospitality manager shared that the full application support made all the difference: Training completed, paperwork handled, everything submitted correctly, and no obstacles along the way. For busy operators, having someone manage the process meant no lost trading time and total peace of mind.

Running a hospitality business is demanding enough without chasing paperwork. The Digital College can handle the entire licence-application process once you’ve gotten your qualification. Their application bundle removes the hassle so you can stay focused on operations.

NCASS members also receive exclusive discounts on this service. A New Year, A New Start The festive season may be over, but planning for the year ahead is well underway.

Sorting out your alcohol licensing early allows you to beat the January backlogs and frees you to focus on bookings, growth and making this the year your business takes off.

Let The Digital College handle the details while you focus on what you do best.

Find out more and take advantage of the member deal.