What licenses and regulatory requirements are needed to set up an in-house cocktail blending and kegging operation?

To set up a cocktail blending and kegging operation (blending third-party spirits and juices rather than producing alcohol from scratch), members confirm you'll need several key licenses and registrations.

**Core licenses and registrations:** - **Compounder's licence** — required for blending operations - **AWRS (Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme)** — mandatory registration - **Premises licence** — required to sell through a website; requirements vary by location (confirmed as needed in Brighton but may differ elsewhere) - **Bonded site status** — valuable to have if possible, as it saves on duty costs

**Caveats and next steps:** - The application forms can be unclear and require careful completion; members recommend getting expert help if possible - One member was arranging a call with a specialist to navigate the process and recommended sharing learnings with the community - Members who have recently moved distilleries and gone through licensing again offered to share tips on navigating the paperwork

This is a regulated process with multiple overlapping requirements; getting specialist advice early is strongly recommended.