By Rémi Dudreuil, Managing Director of Cabinet Licence 4
Updated on
Your premises are closed
Closing does not wipe out the licence. It keeps its value, and it can be sold on its own: the buyer transfers it to their own premises, in your département or a neighbouring one.
But time matters: a licence that has not been operated for more than five years is cancelled. Calculate your deadline, then choose between a sale to a buyer and a buyback by the firm, paid within 48 hours, without waiting for a buyer.
You are retiring
You can sell the business with its licence, or sell the licence separately if the business is hard to sell: it often fetches a better price that way.
On the tax side, exemptions from capital gains tax exist on retirement, subject to conditions. Your accountant will tell you whether they apply to your situation.
You have inherited a licence
The licence is part of the estate. The heirs can sell it together, once their status has been established by the notary handling the estate.
The five-year period keeps running from the last time it was operated: have the licence valued without waiting for the estate to be settled.
The business is in receivership or liquidation
In receivership or compulsory liquidation, the sale of the licence goes through the administrator or the liquidator. The licence keeps its value: the firm sends them its buyback offer.
In compulsory liquidation, the five-year period is extended, where applicable, until the liquidation is closed. Mention the proceedings when you request your valuation.
The premises or the business are sold without the licence
Selling the premises, or the business to a buyer who will not serve alcohol? You can keep the licence out of the sale and sell it separately: the buyer will transfer it to their own premises. Selling a Licence IV