Licensing: Our Fees
Premises licence costs
At Rothera Bray our specialised and experienced licensing team can guide you through the licensing process under licensing and gambling law.
Our team acts for many types of hospitality and retail businesses from small owner-operators to national pub chains. Our key focus is to seek and maintain a licence that fits the needs of your business, whilst providing flexibility to allow you to operate within an ever-changing economy.
We are required by the SRA to provide pricing information for two types of licence application:
- Application for a new premises licence under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003; and
- Application to vary a premises licence under Section 34 of the Licensing Act 2003.
Sometimes you may require some pre-application advice (i.e. liaising with the relevant authorities). This would be charged at the relevant fee earners hourly rate and discussed with you at the outset of your instruction:
| Fee earner | Charge per hour |
| Partner | £350.00 |
| Senior Associate | £330.00 |
| Associate | £310.00 |
| Senior Paralegal | £180.00 |
| Trainee Solicitor | £180.00 |
Hourly rates are to subject VAT at 20%.
Our fees
Below is the outline of our fees for both an application for a new premises licence and an application to vary a premises licence.
| Type of application | Range of fees |
| Simple | £750.00 – £1,500.00 plus VAT |
| Medium Complexity | £1,500.00 – £2,500.00 plus VAT |
| High Complexity | £2,500.00+ plus VAT |
There are also a number of disbursements – fees paid to third parties – that are linked to all premises licence applications. We can advise you on these at the outset.
Licensing authority fees
| Band | A | B | C | D | E |
| Non-Domestic Rateable Value | None to £4,300.00 | £4,301 to £33,000 | £33,3001 to £87,000 | £87,000 to £125,000.00 | £125,001 and above |
| Application Fee | £100 | £190 | £315 | £450 | £635 |
| Annual Charge | £70 | £180 | £295 | £320 | £350 |
The licence fees above are not subject to VAT.
Advertising fee
It is a requirement that applications for licences and variations are advertised in a local newspaper.
The fee for the advertising varies according to the length of the notice and the relevant publication. We use a specialist agent to obtain the most cost effective rates and typically is around £300 to £500 plus VAT.
Post application
Following the end of the consultation period of an application, it may be necessary to attend a hearing if representations are made that have not been withdrawn.
Any work carried out on mediation in an effort to resolve any representations or preparation for a hearing would be charged on a time spent basis at the relevant hourly rate of the fee earner acting on your behalf. We would discuss the anticipated costs of any additional work required at the time.
Send us a message
East Midlands Licensing Lawyers
Russell Thompson
Partner & Head of Licensing
Russell Thompson is a Partner in the Commercial Property department at Rothera Bray Solicitors and is based at our Lace Market office.
Jo Soar
Senior Associate
Jo is a Senior Associate in Rothera Bray’s Licensing team and is based at our Nottingham office.
Lesley Harper
Associate
Lesley is an Associate in Rothera Bray’s Licensing team and is based at our Lace Market office in Nottingham city centre.
Caroline Twist
Senior Paralegal
Caroline is a Senior Paralegal in Rothera Bray’s Licensing department and is based at our Lace Market, Nottingham office.
stars
Posted 13 February 2026
Jo was warm, welcoming and spoke very clear. It made the course much easier to understand under her guidance. Thank you for a very informative and educational day which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Licensing course delegate
stars
Posted 12 February 2026
Jo is confident and concise with her knowledge and experiences with Licensing.
BIIAB course attendee
stars
Posted 5 March 2025
I was very lucky to have been passed onto this company specifically Jo Soar, they/she were absolutely amazing in every way. They responded and acted immediately to help resolve my case, to anyone looking for solicitors I highly recommend these from someone who regularly uses solicitors I have never received such a fantastic service. Just want to add Jo is the best solicitor I have ever come across and I thank her for her fantastic service.
Keith Smith
stars
Posted 17 October 2024
It has been a genuine pleasure to work with Jo, whose expertise and dedication to the field of licensing law is second to none. At Ever So Sensible Restaurants, we have always prided ourselves on delivering exceptional drinking and dining experiences, and Jo has played an instrumental role in helping us navigate the complexities of alcohol and entertainment licensing. Her in-depth knowledge of the hospitality sector, coupled with her practical experience advising independent businesses, makes her an invaluable partner. Jo's approachable and professional manner is matched by her attention to detail, ensuring that our licensing matters are handled efficiently and with care. I would not hesitate to recommend Jo to any business in the leisure, retail, or hospitality industries. Her professionalism, knowledge, and genuine passion for her work make her a trusted advisor and a standout leader in her field. We are fortunate to have her expertise at our side
Ever So Sensible
stars
Posted 17 October 2024
We have worked with the licensing team for many years, mainly with Jo, Lesley, and Caroline, who have consistently supported us with all our licensing matters. Their expertise and guidance have been invaluable, helping us navigate the complexities of licensing law while allowing us to pursue creative ways to enhance the customer experience and maximise profit.The team is not only efficient but also serves as a critical friend, ensuring our ambitions remain compliant. Their training opportunities have also been a great asset, with many of our team successfully completing their personal licence courses. We highly recommend Rothera Bray for their outstanding service and commitment.
Motorpoint Arena / National Ice Centre
stars
Posted 17 October 2024
Jo and the team at Rothera Bray are a critical part of our project team on any licensing matter at our existing or new sites. They bring a high level of expertise, collaboration, and sound advice. They communicate brilliantly with us as a client and with responsible authorities to reach our desired outcomes. Their advice on approach, what can be pushed back on and what can be overcome is invaluable, we cannot them recommend highly enough.
Big Penny
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