Get the right licences for your tourist accommodation business

You will need a licence from your local county court to sell alcohol on your premises.

You will only be able to apply to the court for a liquor licence for certain premises, including:

• premises where alcohol will be sold and consumed eg pubs
• premises where alcohol is sold for drinking off the premises
• hotels
• guest houses
• restaurants
• conference centres certified by the Tourism NI
• other venues that include indoor arenas, higher education institutions, public entertainment premises, public transport premises and seamen's canteens

You can't apply for a licence if your premises are situated on a service area, or are on the same premises as a garage or petrol station.

Hotels, guest houses and conference centres

If you run a hotel, guest house or a conference centre, you must apply to the courts for a liquor licence and show that:

• you are fit to hold a licence
• the premises are suitable for the sale of alcohol

If you operate a restaurant from your guest house, you will need to adhere to certain conditions when selling alcohol including:

• only permitting alcohol sales and consumption when accompanied with a main meal;
• only permitting alcohol consumption in an area set aside for the service of main meals, alcohol and other beverages;
• alcohol must be paid for and on the same bill as the meal;
• an entrance fee is not charged to the premises containing the restaurant

Conference centres must meet certain requirements to get a licensing letter from Tourism NI.