Due to Coronavirus temporary arrangements for Taxi trade - renewals only - are in place.

With the lockdown restrictions currently in place, the Licensing Team have been receiving enquiries from licensed premises regarding off-sales of alcohol and the correct procedure for doing this, to ensure the rules aren’t broken. Please see some FAQs that provides some information on providing off-sales of alcohol if you are a licensed premises. If you have any further queries, please contact the Licensing Team.

This page gives details of all the different types of licences that are needed for either business or personal use, and how they may be obtained. It also highlights certain activities that do not need licences.

If you have any concerns about the behaviour or activity of a licensed retailer or operator please contact ehlicensing@staffordbc.gov.uk or telephone 01785 619745.

Stafford Borough Council is the licensing authority for the administration and enforcement of the Licensing Act 2003 and associated orders and regulations within its area. The Act regulates:-

• the sale of alcohol
• the supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club
• the provision of regulated entertainment
• the provision of late night refreshment

The Act requires that the Licensing Authority prepares and publishes a statement of its licensing policy every five years. Before determining its policy for any five-year period, the Authority is required to undertake a public consultation exercise on the proposed policy.

Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Licences

• Hackney Carriage Vehicle Licence
• Private Hire/Hackney Carriage Driver's Licence
• Private Hire Operator's Licence
• Private Hire Vehicle Licence
• Executive Hire Vehicle Licence
• Taxi Licensing Fees
• Taxi Forums
• Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
• Other Taxi Licensing

Unlicensed taxi or private hire vehicles are not only illegal - they could be dangerous

An unlicensed taxi will not have been examined by Stafford Borough Council for safety and roadworthiness.  It might not even have a current MOT or insurance. 

Catering Licences

• Food Business
• Late Night Refreshment Houses

Entertainment and Gambling Licences

• Amusements with Prizes
• Alcohol and Entertainment (covers cinemas,theatres, public entertainment, alcohol, night cafes and late night refreshment houses)
• Fireworks - See trading standards
• Gambling Act 2005
• Hypnotism
• Lotteries
• Sex Establishment
• Sexual Entertainment Venues

Other Licences

• Acupuncturist, Ear piercing, Electrolysis and Tattooists
• House to House and Street Collections
• Scrap Metal
• Street Trading

Animal Licences

• Animal Welfare Regulations 2018
• Dangerous, Wild or Exotic Animals
• Zoo

Other Information

Everything we do not licence.

• Animal Movement
• Boatman
• Door Supervisors
• Explosives/Fireworks (Storage and Sale) - See Trading Standards
• Game Dealing - Licence not required
• Petroleum - See Trading Standards
• Second Hand Goods - See Trading Standards
• Self-Drive Boats
• Education Welfare Section of the County Council's website for more information on Stage Licences for School Age Children.
• Sunday trading
• Busking
• Chaperone Licences
• Street Cafe - Licence not required - see Food Business
• Hairdresser -  Licence not required
• Massage and Special Treatment - Licence not required

More information about Staffordshire Highways and any related licensing or legal issues may be found in the Transport and Highways section of the Staffordshire County Council website.

For information regarding Safety Advisory Groups, please see our Safety Advisory Group Terms of Reference under Related Documents

If the information you require is not here, it may be obtained from the Staffordshire County Council website or on 0300 111 8000.