Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What alcohol licenses are required to sell online direct-to-consumer and B2B in the UK?
You need multiple licenses depending on your sales channel: **B2B sales:** Members confirm you must register with **AWRS (Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme)** via the HMRC website (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-alcohol-wholesaler-registration-scheme-awrs). This is the legal requirement for wholesaling alcohol to other businesses. **D2C online sales:** You can sell online without additional restrictions, but the goods must ship from a licensed premises. This can be your own premises or a third-party fulfilment house that holds an alcohol license. **Required premises and personal licenses:** For any D2C operation, you need: - An **off-licence for your premises** (the physical location from which alcohol is shipped) - A **personal licence for the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)**—the individual responsible for the premises Members emphasize that the structure is: AWRS registration for B2B wholesale eligibility, plus premises and personal licensing for the actual location where stock is held and shipped. If using a third-party fulfilment house, that house must already hold the necessary alcohol premises license.
What are the regulatory requirements for selling alcohol from a mobile cart or street location in the UK?
You cannot operate a mobile alcohol sales operation in the UK. All alcohol sales require a fixed, specified location. **Key regulatory requirements:** - **Personal Licence** — You must have someone present with a valid Personal Licence - **Premises Licence or Temporary Events Licence (TEN)** — The specific fixed location where you're selling must have one of these. A TEN is issued by your local council and is tied to a specific premises address - **Fixed location requirement** — Both Premises Licences and TEMs require you to specify an exact location; mobile or street-based sales without a fixed address are not permitted - **Local council variation** — Licensing restrictions vary by local authority. Some councils may have additional or stricter rules, so it's essential to contact your local licensing office directly to understand their specific requirements **Caveats:** Members consistently warned that mobility is not an option under current licensing law. One member noted: "You defo can't be mobile. And the temp events license will be tied to a specific place and will come with various restrictions." If you're considering event-based sales (e.g. pop-ups at festivals), you'll still need a TEN for that specific venue, but it cannot be a roaming operation.
What online training courses and providers should I use to prepare for and obtain a personal license from a local authority?
You'll need to complete a course (not just an exam) to get a certificate before applying for your personal license with your local authority. Members recommend the following providers: - **BTBL** (https://www.btbl.co.uk/alcohol_licensing) — Peter runs this and members found him helpful, with links and resources available on the site - **CPL Training** (https://www.cpltraining.co.uk/) — used by members with positive feedback - **Hospitality Training Solutions** (https://hospitalitytrainingsolutions.co.uk/product/personal-licence-courses/) — completed by members and rated well The process is straightforward; members noted "You'll be fine" with these established training routes.
What are the licensing requirements for serving alcohol at trade shows and events like BCB?
You need to obtain an alcohol serving licence for trade shows and events, even if you're only handing out small samples. Members report that local authorities are actively checking compliance. - **Local authority licensing** — Required for serving alcohol at events like trade shows; check with your local authority for specific requirements and fees. Members have paid around €160 for event licences at major trade shows like BCB. - **Exemption threshold** — Only very small serves (samples) may be exempt, but confirmation with your local authority is essential before assuming an exemption applies.