On Licence

Sopwell House Hotel & Country Club

Licence summary from On Licence, 30 September 2026

Premises
Sopwell House Hotel & Country Club
Address
Sopwell House Hotel & Country Club, Sopwell House Hotel, Cottonmill Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2HQ
Licence
Premises licence, LN/200500634
Status
In force (register: Current Licence)
Issued
6 October 2020
Licensing authority
St Albans City Council
Activities
Sale of alcohol, Recorded music, Live music, Dance
Food hygiene rating
5 out of 5 (very good)

What the licence permits

Opening hours on the licence
Every day 07:00-02:30, other: 12.00 - 00.00 Good Friday 12.00 - 16.30 and 19.00 - 00.00 Christmas Day New Years Eve: in addition to the permitted hours for that day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of permitted hours the following day.
Live Music
Every day 12:00-02:00
Perform Dance
Every day 12:00-02:00
Facilities for dancing
Every day 12:00-02:00
Recorded Music
Every day 08:00-02:00
Facilities for making music
Every day 08:00-02:00
Late Night Refresh
Every day 23:00-01:00
Alcohol Sales On
Every day 10:00-02:00, other: 12.00 - 23.30 Good Friday 12.00 - 16.00 and 19.00 to 23.30 Christmas Day New Years Eve: in addition to the permitted hours for that day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of permitted hours the following day.
Alcohol Sales Off
Every day 10:00-02:00, other: 12.00 - 23.30 Good Friday 12.00 - 16.00 and 19.00 to 23.30 Christmas Day New Years Eve: in addition to the permitted hours for that day, the period between the end of permitted hours on that day and the beginning of permitted hours the following day.
Licence conditions (45)
  1. Live music:
  2. · Indoors only
  3. · Provision of occasional live musicians in conjunction with meals and functions
  4. Recorded music:
  5. · Provision of recorded music separately from or together with live music and background music and background music in public areas
  6. Performances of dance:
  7. · To allow for dancing at functions in restaurants and function suite
  8. Provision of facilities for making music:
  9. · Provision of microphone loudspeaker amplification and control equipment for performance of recorded music and background music in public areas
  10. Provision of facilities for dancing:
  11. · Provision of dance floor within function areas to allow for dancing by guests
  12. Late night refreshment:
  13. General:
  14. · The premises are a 4 star residential hotel with a high level of staff on duty. The nature of the business is not likely to attract activities which might amount to crime, disorder or public nuisance.
  15. The prevention of crime and disorder:
  16. · The hotel has CCTV which is being expanded. The hotel employs a director of security. Staff are on duty all through the day and night.
  17. Public Safety:
  18. · The hotel complies with all requirements relating to fire safety, health and safety and food handling.
  19. The prevention of public nuisance:
  20. · The hotel is on a relatively remote site with no immediately neighbouring residential premises.
  21. The protection of children from harm:
  22. · Any children on the premises will be accompanied by an adult. Strict proof of age policy applies with photographic proof only accepted.
  23. Conditions carried over from: Licensing Act 1964 (Justices 'On' and 'Supper' Licence and 'Special Hours Certificate'):
  24. a) Remove: Standard conditions as to provision of meals substantial refreshment and music and dancing attached to Supper Hours Certificate and Special Hours Certificate
  25. PEL additional conditions
  26. 1) The electrical installation shall be inspected at least once in every five years, or such lesser period as is considered appropriate to the individual case, by a competent electrical engineer appointed by or on behalf of the licensee of the premises and a certificate stating the condition of the installation shall after each inspection, be forwarded to the Council by or on behalf of the licensee of the premises.
  27. 2) The number of persons (excluding staff and attendants) to be allowed at any one time in the licensed premises shall not exceed:
  28. Restaurant 150
  29. St Albans Suite 300 (Seated) 600 (Clear Floor Area)
  30. Sir Francis Bacon Suite 100 " 150 "
  31. Nicholas Breakspeare Suite 100 " 150 "
  32. Abbot Ulsinus Suite 100 " 150 "
  33. Queen Boudicca Suite 150 " 250 "
  34. King Offa Suite 150 " 250 "
  35. Mountbatten Suite 120 " 180 "
  36. Suite A 100 " 135 "
  37. Suite B 150 " 200 "
  38. 3) The permitted hours of public use under the Licence are varied and as follows:
  39. Monday - Thursday - 12.00hrs until 00.00hrs
  40. Friday and Saturday - 12.00hrs until 02.00hrs (the following morning)
  41. Sunday - 12.00hrs until 00.30hrs (the following morning)
  42. Sunday (preceding bank holidays)
  43. - 12.00hrs until 02.00hrs (the following morning),
  44. excluding Easter Sunday
  45. The extension of hours beyond 12 midnight on Saturdays is subject to a current Special Hours Certificate being in force.

Licensed hours are the most a premises may open or trade under its licence, not its actual opening times.

Compiled from St Albans City Council's public licensing register. The council's register is the authoritative record. https://onlicence.uk/premises/sopwell-house-hotel-and-country-club-al1-74590819ba