Licensing Act 2003

43 Circumstances in which transfer application given interim effect

(1) Where—

(a) an application made in accordance with section 42 includes a request that the transfer have immediate effect, and

(b) the requirements of this section are met,

then, by virtue of this section, the premises licence has effect during the application period as if the applicant were the holder of the licence.

(2) For this purpose “the application period” means the period which—

(a) begins when the application is received by the relevant licensing authority, and

(b) ends—

(i) when the licence is transferred following the grant of the application, or

(ii) if the application is rejected, when the applicant is notified of the rejection, or

(iii) when the application is withdrawn.

(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), an application within subsection (1)(a) may be made only with the consent of the holder of the premises licence.

(4) Where a person is the holder of the premises licence by virtue of an interim authority notice under section 47, such an application may also be made by that person.

(5) The relevant licensing authority must exempt the applicant from the requirement to obtain the holder’s consent if the applicant shows to the authority’s satisfaction—

(a) that he has taken all reasonable steps to obtain that consent, and

(b) that, if the application were one to which subsection (1) applied, he would be in a position to use the premises during the application period for the licensable activity or activities authorised by the premises licence.

(6) Where the relevant licensing authority refuses to exempt an applicant under subsection (5), it must notify the applicant of its reasons for that decision.