I would like to know how one would go about setting up an on-line
off-licence in the UK - not the technical side of it, but the legal
side. Specifically, what the requirements would be for the licence,
and how much it would cost. Also, what are the laws about selling
alcohol after 11pm (e.g. if a customer placed an order at midnight,
would that be acceptable).

Dear delcara-ga,

The UK licensing laws are undergoing dramatic streamlining with the
introduction of the Licensing Act of 2003. The Act is part-way through
its implementation, so I shall only deal with the new regulations for
by the time you have your business underway, the Act will be fully in
force. Before I start, please note that this answer is general
information and is not intended to be a substitute for informed
professional legal advice.

It is an offence to have in your possession alcohol with the intention
to sell it by retail or supply it unless you are authorised by way of
a license. There will be two licences you will have to obtain. A
Premises Licence and a Personal Licence. Both are issued and
supervised by the local authority.

Individual councils will set the fee. These have not yet been
finalised, but a Premises Licence application would range from
£100-500 with a yearly renewal fee, Personal Licences are less at
approximately £30.

The Act proposes flexible operating hours for premises and an
operating schedule will have to be submitted to the licensing
authority for approval. Therefore, it may be possible to operate for
24 hours.
 
The new act is explained in great detail on this web site:

Department for Culture, Media and Sport
http://www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/licensing_act_2003/default.htm

Use the navigation to read all of the requirements. 

"The precise level of the fees will be decided following consultation
with licensing authorities, businesses and other interests. It is
currently envisaged that fees for premises licence applications would
range from £100-500, depending on the size of the premises, with an
annual fee of £50-150. The fee for a personal licence application is
currently envisaged to be approximately £30, with the same fee on each
renewal, at ten yearly intervals."
http://www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/licensing_act_2003/fees.htm

Timetable for the introduction of the Act.
http://www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/licensing_act_2003/timetable_reform.htm

Offences under the Act
http://www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/licensing_act_2003/offences.htm

Text of the Licensing Act 2003
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030017.htm


The local authority in the area where you propose to operate may have
on their web site additional information on their requirements and how
they intend to supervise the Act.

I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder


"licensing act 2003" "off licence"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&q=%22licensing+act+2003%22+%22off+licence%22

Confirmed what I thought. Very grateful.