The Licensing Act 2003 recognises volunteer and social clubs give rise to different issues for licensing law than commercially run premises selling direct to the public.
These clubs (such as the Royal British Legion, working men's or cricket or rugby clubs) are generally organisations where members join together for a particular social, sporting or political purpose and then combine to purchase alcohol in bulk for members.
Club premises certificates authorise qualifying clubs to use club premises for qualifying club activities such as:
- the supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to a member for consumption on the premises.
- the retail sale of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to a guest of a member for consumption on the premises, and the
provision of regulated entertainment by or on behalf of a club for its members or their guests.