Role of the Designated Premises Supervisor

The responsibilities of a designated premises supervisor

• A designated premises supervisor (DPS) is the person who has day-to-day responsibility for the running of the business and is responsible for authorising the alcohol sales.
• All businesses and organisations selling or supplying alcohol, except members clubs and certain community premises must have a designated premises supervisor.
• Whoever holds this role will be named on the licence and will need to be named on any application and give their consent to acting.

What the DPS does

• The person chosen to be designated premises supervisor (DPS) will act as primary contact for licensing authority and the police. They must understand the social issues and potential problems associated with the sale of alcohol, and also have a good understanding of the business itself.
• While they need not be on site at all times, and can authorise other members of staff to sell alcohol, they are expected to be involved enough with the business to be able to act as its representative, and they must be contactable at all times.
• If licensing authority or the  police have any questions or concerns about the business, they will expect to be able to reach the designated supervisor.
• Each business may have only one supervisor selected for this role, but the same person may act as the designated supervisor at more than one business.