Updates to this page
Published 30 November 2015
Last updated
1325 FebruaryApril 2024
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25 April 2025
Information about what you should include in a successful business plan has been added.
13 February 2024
We have updated this notice to align with changes to Alcohol Duty that came into effect on 1 August 2023.
15 December 2021
This guidance has been updated to confirm new owners of an existing AWRS approved business must submit an application for AWRS approval in their own right prior to trading.
18 January 2021
This guidance has been updated because the Brexit transition period has ended.
21 September 2020
Section 6.9 has been updated to confirm that HMRC will disregard convictions that are spent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 when considering a person’s fit and proper status.
19 March 2019
This notice has been amended at paragraph 10.4 (force of law text) Regulation 5 of the Wholesaling of Controlled Liquor Regulations 2015, to clarify the notification requirements where there is a change in business ownership
22 November 2018
This notice has been amended at paragraph 10.4 (force of law text), Regulations 5 of the Wholesaling of Controlled Liquor Regulations 2015, to clarify what you must do if you use any premises for storing alcohol other than your principal place of business.
18 September 2018
Annex A (1) (c) has been updated to explain the type of items that need to be preserved for your records.
9 March 2018
Paragraphs 9.1, 10.4, 15.2 and Annex A have been changed to make the information clearer.
3 October 2017
A link to the AWRS online service has been added at section 6.5 of the Notice.
22 September 2017
This notice has been updated to clarify what is meant by 'controlled liquor'.
2 June 2017
Section 13 ‘Trade buyers obligations’ has been updated to advise of reasonable checks that may be applied to verify the wholesaler you are dealing with and also what to consider when making a wholesale purchase from a business not approved for Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme by HMRC.
31 March 2017
This notice cancels and replaces Notice 2002 March 2017. Details of any changes to the previous version can be found in paragraph 1.2 of this notice.
27 March 2017
Paragraph 4.5 and 13.4 amended.
21 June 2016
Sections 7.1, 12.6 and 14.6 have been updated.
23 May 2016
Sections 7.1 and 14.6 have been updated.
30 November 2015
First published.