Alcohol Licensing & Challenge 25 Compliance Check

Selling alcohol in England and Wales is a licensable activity under the Licensing Act 2003. Shops, pubs, restaurants, cafes, off-licences and online sellers who dispatch alcohol from premises in England and Wales normally need a premises licence from their local council, a designated premises supervisor (DPS) who holds a personal licence, and must comply with the mandatory conditions attached to every licence. Those include a written age verification policy (commonly Challenge 21 or Challenge 25), restrictions on irresponsible promotions, making free tap water available and offering small measures where relevant.

Selling alcohol to anyone under 18 is a criminal offence, and persistently doing so can lead to a closure order, a licence review and unlimited fines. Licensing authorities and Trading Standards run regular test purchases with underage volunteers, and a breach can put a licence at risk even for a first offence by an untrained member of staff. Annual licence fees must also be paid on time, or the licence can be suspended. This check helps you confirm your paperwork, training and till processes would stand up to a licensing visit or review.

This check walks through your premises licence, DPS, age verification policy and mandatory conditions, and flags what a licensing officer or Trading Standards test purchase would most likely pick up.