Section 44 – Application to transfer premises licence: ground for refusal
141.Section 44 amends section 33 of the 2005 Act in relation to grounds for refusal for an application to transfer a premises licence. Section 44 provides that it is a ground for refusal at a hearing when determining applications to transfer premises licences under section 33 of the 2005 Act if the Licensing Board considers that, having regard to the licensing objectives, the transferee is not a fit and proper person to be the holder of a premises licence.
142.This section also expands the information that can be provided to the Licensing Board by the Chief Constable upon receiving notice of a transfer of a premises licence. This includes information in relation to the transferee, a connected person in relation to the licence holder or an interested party in relation to the licensed premises, if the application for the transfer were to be granted. If information is provided, the Licensing Board must hold a hearing to determine the application.