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) has had a significant impact on the processing of licence applications. If you require to communicate 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.

We are working to identify temporary changes to licensing processes. Further updates will be provided on this page as soon as possible.

If you are an event organiser you should note that when possible applicants will be able to email amended applications for events which have been postponed due to Covid-19 as long as the details of the event remain exactly the same and only the event date is changing, any other changes to event details will require a new application to be submitted in the usual manner.

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 Alcohol Licensing [231.79KB]
Cinema Licences Cinema Licences [176.81KB]
Civic Licensing and Notifications of Processions Civic Licensing and Notifications of Processions [195.51KB]
Fireworks Dispensation Fireworks Dispensation [165.81KB]
Gambling Licensing Gambling Licensing [208.17KB]
HMO Licensing HMO Licences [190.12KB]
Sex Shops Sex Shops [192.25KB]
Theatre Licences Theatre Licences [175.95KB]
Venison Dealers' Venison Dealers' [176.16KB]

To view all current liquor licence application notices within West Lothian, please see Icon for pdf Current Advert for Applications [77.08KB]

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

Alcohol Licences

If you wish to sell alcohol then you will need a licence. This includes events where alcohol is provided following the purchase of an entrance ticket.

Entertainment

If you are organising an event involving entertainment which is open to the public you may need a licence.

Gambling Licences and Permits

West Lothian Licensing Board has a range of functions under the Gambling Act 2005

Taxi and Private Hire Car Licences

West Lothian Council as licensing authority administers a licensing scheme for taxi and private hire car vehicle and their drivers.

Trading Licences

West Lothian Council as licensing authority administers a number of licensing schemes for trading licences under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and other legislation including the licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), caravan sites, street traders, metal dealers and second hand dealers.

Public Processions

Information on holding public processions (parades) in West Lothian and how to make a representation about the procession or a complaint about the notification process.