Licences, Permits and Permissions
There are a wide range of activities which require licenses and permissions from West Lothian Council and the Licensing Board.
The impact of the Coronavirus (COVID -19) continues to have a significant impact on the processing of licence applications.
If you need to get in touch with the Licensing Team, please do so by email to the following address licensingservices@westlothian.gov.uk email enquiries will be prioritised and responded to on a priority/urgent basis.
In the meantime, applications for licences and permits should be posted along with cheques or postal orders for payment of any fee required and copies of all required supporting documentation to;
Licensing Team
West Lothian Council
Civic Centre
Livingston
EH54 6FF
If you are unable to post your application and fee please contact the Licensing Team by email.
Please be aware that there will likely be delays in the processing of applications due to changes in working conditions due to the ongoing situation.
The Licensing Team administers a number of different licensing schemes on behalf of the Council and the Licensing Board. These relate mainly to:
- Alcohol licences under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005
- Gambling licences under the Gambling Act 2005, and
- Various licences and permissions granted under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982
Individuals or organisations wishing to hold certain events may need several licences or permissions. Please see Entertainment Licences and Permissions
Privacy Notices
You should be aware that as part of the licensing process information provided by the applicant will be recorded within our licensing systems and for most applications a mandatory background check will be carried out as part of the vetting process. For further information about how your information will be dealt with please see our privacy notices:
- Alcohol Licensing
- Cinema Licences
- Civic Licensing and Notifications of Processions
- Fireworks Dispensation
- Gambling Licensing
- HMO Licensing
- Sex Shops
- Theatre Licences
- Venison Dealers'
To view all current liquor licence application notices within West Lothian, please see
Please note that all the Licensing web pages are intended to guide you through the procedures associated with making an application for a licence. They are not intended to summarise relatively complex areas of the law. Anyone using these pages should obtain independent advice from their own solicitors or advice centre.
Further information may be obtained from the Licensing Team by emailing licensingservices@westlothian.gov.uk or by calling 01506 281632