Yes, a food truck can serve alcohol with the right permits. You need a personal licence from your local authority to sell or supply alcohol. You can get up to five TENs per year, or 50 if you also hold a personal licence. Wine, spirits, and beer are the main types of alcohol beverages. Craft Vodka has a clear color. Vodka, Ketel One, Skyy, Smirnoff, and Svedka all have clear spirits. Food trucks can occasionally sell alcohol at festivals with temporary liquor licenses. But these instances are uncommon. Local authorities strictly regulate liquor permits. If your state allows mobile food units to sell alcohol and you have the necessary permits and licenses in place, you may be able to sell alcohol. But the process is difficult and pricey. You should be aware that supplying complimentary alcohol requires licensing under the Licensing Act 2003. This applies to all businesses, including holiday lets.
If you wish to supply food with an alcohol content greater than 0.5% volume you will likely need both a premises and a personal alcohol licence issued under the Licensing Act 2003; please contact your local district / borough council licensing department for more information.
Temporary Event Notice (TEN)
To sell alcohol from a mobile bar in the UK you will need a TEN for each event and can get up to 5 per year. There must be under 500 people at each event and lasts no more than 168 hours or 7 days. You must be over 18 to apply for a TEN.
To get a personal alcohol license you will need to:
- Must be aged 18 years or over.
- Hold a relevant licensing qualification – for example, a BIIAB or CIEH Level 2 Award or a similar accredited qualification.
Premises License Requirements
To sell alcohol alongside your food or serve hot food and drinks apart from standard restaurant operating hours, you’ll need a premises license, which includes serving hot food and drinks between 11 pm and 5 am.
For planning to sell food on the street or in a market, you will require a street trading licence. Additionally, to establish the type of business you can operate, you will need to check the class of use of the premises with the planning department to ensure it is suitable for your proposed business.
Cost of an Alcohol Licence
A personal licence costs just £37, which you pay when you apply for the qualification.
Businesses, organisations and individuals who want to sell or supply alcohol in England and Wales must have a licence or other authorisation from a licensing authority – usually a local council. The types of businesses and organisations that need alcohol licences might include: pubs and bars, cinemas.
Alcohol is heavily regulated in the UK. Premises must be licensed by the local authority to sell alcohol. The authority to sell alcohol is divided into two parts – the Premises Licence, and a Personal Licence for individuals to sell alcohol. Every Premises Licence must name a Designated Premises Supervisor holding a valid Personal Licence.
Selling alcohol online requires both personal and premises licences. It is your responsibility to ensure not selling alcohol to under 18s. Location matters – operating a business selling alcohol in England/Wales requires a licence from the local council. Shops with off licences can sell liquor for off-premises consumption. Following all requirements is essential to legally sell alcohol.