Other Licenses

Other Licences

Certain licences are granted by other organisations. These include:

Consumer Credit

The Consumer Credit Act 1974 requires most businesses that offer goods or services on credit or lend money to consumers to be licensed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Trading without a licence is a criminal offence and can result in a fine and/or imprisonment.

The OFT deals with all applications for consumer credit licences.

The OFT website provides information on what kind of businesses need a credit licence, how to apply for one, and the different fees. You can also download application forms and detailed guidance for licence applicants and holders.

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Door Supervisors (SIA)

All door supervisors in Bracknell Forest must hold an SIA licence. It is against the law to work as a door supervisor without an SIA licence (from 1st March 2005). Locally issued licence, badges and registration schemes will no longer be valid. Please contact the SIA for further information.

How to get a licence
If you are front-line staff, you must be over 18, pass an identity and criminal record check, and have the right SIA approved qualification in order to get an SIA licence. If you are non-front line staff, such as manager or supervisor, you will need to pass a criminal record check and an identity check. You will not need to take training. The SIA will also look at 3 other criteria: mental health, the right to work, and any evidence of relevant criminal activity. See the SIA brochure for more information.

A licence application pack can be obtained either through the SIA website, or by calling the SIA on 08702 430 100.

News
The Security Industry Authority (SIA) announced on 23rd September that the SIA door supervisor licence would be extended to cover the activities of a security guard. Now, a single SIA licence will allow an individual to work in two sectors, creating flexibility for employers and job opportunities for employees.

How to Get Door Supervisor Training
If you need to attend a training course leading to an SIA (Security Industry Authority) recognised qualification in Door Supervision, or even if you have part exemption you must contact a training provider who is accredited to deliver the Door Supervisor Level 2 qualification. A list of the approved training providers is available on the SIA website.

If you think that you are exempt or partially exempt from taking the training and/or the exam for the new qualification, contact one of the following awarding bodies.

The British Institute of Innkeeping - 01276 684 449
City and Guilds - 020 7294 2800
NCFE - 0191 239 8000
Edexcel - 020 7758 5345
NOCN - 01332 268 080

For further information, contact the SIA on 08702 430100 and request a brochure.

Who Needs a Licence?
You will need a licence if you are responsible for security, protection, screening the suitability of people entering premises or dealing with conflict in pubs, clubs and other licensed premises open to the public.

Anyone involved in door supervision, whether under contract or employed in-house will need a licence. This includes employees, managers, supervisors and directors of security companies. You will require a licence if:

you work as a door supervisor under contract for a client, or if you work in-house;
you are a supervisor, manager, director, or partner, or a sole trader providing door supervision staff; or
you are a manager or supervisor under contract who manages door supervisors who are also under contract.

However, you will not require a licence if:

you only check tickets, invitations or passes (i.e. cinema or theatre usher);
you are a pub landlord who takes on some managerial or supervisory responsibility in the place of the person who has contracted in door supervisors; or
you have no operational responsibility and are employed to provide support, for instance if you are an administration assistant for a firm dealing with door supervisors.

Also, premises covered by other legislation will not require licensed staff, such as private members clubs, restaurants, guest houses, bingo halls, theatres, cinemas, and licensed premises under the Gaming Act 1968 (e.g. casinos) and certain premises currently defined under Part 2 of the Licensing Act 1964.

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Licence to play music in public

If you use any equipment to play recorded music (i.e. tapes, CDs etc) in your premises for the benefit of your customers then you will almost certainly require a licence from Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) and/or a licence from The Performing Rights Society (PRS).

You will require a PPL licence if the source of entertainment is any of the following:

Jukebox
CD/Record/Tape
DJs/Dancing
Karaoke

You may need a licence for Radio and TV (inc satellite) – please check with PPL. You can email them at ppo.info@ppluk.com, telephone 020 7534 1000 or check their website.

You will require a PRS licence if the source of entertainment is any of the following:

Jukebox
CD/Record/Tape
Radio
TV (inc satellite)
Video/Films
Live Music
DJs/Dancing
Karaoke

Further information of PRS licences can be found by downloading the 'PRS at a Glance' document on the right. Alternatively they can be contacted by phone on: 0800 068 48 28, email: musiclicence@prs.co.uk, or visit their website: www.prs.co.uk/musiclicence.

Also available to download on the right are PRS produced guides to music licensing for pubs and bars, cafes and restaurants and staging live events.