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Cambridgeshire Fire & Resue Service

Working together to improve community safety
General enquiries
01480 444 500
In an emergency
dial 999

Licensed premises

Under the Licensing Act 2003 and Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO), the licensing authority is required to consult and give Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) the opportunity to make representation with regards to public safety (fire safety), before issuing the licence.

The local licensing authority are responsible for administrating and issuing premises licences.

The licensing authority cannot impose any fire safety conditions, which fall under the scope of the FSO, as this is enforced by CFRS.

As part of the consultation process, CFRS will assess the nature of the application, premises type and the fire precautions detailed in the application to ensure public safety, before determining the appropriate outcome. This may result in us providing you with further fire safety advice and guidance or a fire safety audit may be conducted of the premises.

Under the FSO the responsible person must conduct a suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessment of the premises, in order to identify fire hazards, to reduce the risk to relevant persons, to evaluate existing fire precautions and to determine if further fire safety measures and arrangements are necessary. 

The significant findings of the fire risk assessment must be recorded where:

  • Five or more persons are employed.
  • A licence under any enactment is in force in relation to the premises.
  • An alterations notice requiring this is in force in relation to the premises.

Failure to comply with the provisions of the FSO (public safety) may lead to CFRS requesting the local licensing authority to review the premises licence.
Please visit the links below for further details on licensing and contact your local licensing authority for further information on how to apply for a licence.

Licensees should be reminded that planning permission and building regulations approval may be required for any alterations that they may wish to carry out and early consultation with the local licensing authority and building control body is encouraged.