COMMERCIAL COST GUIDE

Pub Electrical Installation Cost UK 2025: Licensed Premises Guide

Complete cost guide for UK pub and licensed premises electrical installations. Cellar cooling, gaming machine circuits, emergency lighting to BS 5266-1, fire alarm systems, CCTV, and EICR compliance. Typical fit-out £12,000–£35,000.

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11 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key Takeaways

  • 1A full electrical installation or major refurbishment for a UK pub or licensed premises typically costs £12,000 to £35,000 depending on size, cellar specification, and gaming machine provision.
  • 2Cellar cooling compressors require dedicated circuits; many modern pub cellars run multiple cooling systems totalling 5–15kW, requiring careful load balancing across phases.
  • 3Gaming machines (AWP, SWP, FOBTs) each need a dedicated 13A circuit with RCD protection. A typical pub with 3–5 machines requires individual fused spur outlets and tamper-evident documentation.
  • 4Emergency lighting to BS 5266-1 is mandatory in all licensed premises. The licence itself may be revoked by the licensing authority if life-safety systems are found to be non-functional during a visit.
  • 5An EICR is required at least every five years for commercial premises. Many pub companies require EICRs on change of tenancy and include EICR compliance as a condition of the lease agreement.
01 · Commercial Cost Guide

Licensed Premises Electrical Installation: Key Considerations

Electrical installations in pubs, bars, and other licensed premises combine the demands of a commercial food and drink environment with the specific requirements of a licensed venue — gaming machine circuits, cellar cooling, CO₂ detection, extensive AV systems, and the highest standards of life-safety electrical systems because of the concentration of public patrons.

  • Cellar and dispense systems — cooling compressors, CO₂/N₂ detection, glycol cooler circuits, and cellar lighting (IP-rated in wet areas).
  • Bar and gaming — dedicated circuits for gaming machines, POS systems, card payment terminals, chilled display cabinets, glasswashers, and coffee machines.
  • Life-safety systems — emergency lighting to BS 5266-1, fire alarm wiring to BS 5839-1, and CO₂ gas detection alarm systems.
  • Entertainment and AV — sports TV screens (commercial display circuits), audio amplifier rack supplies, outdoor sound system wiring, quiz machine circuits, and external lighting.

All electrical work must comply with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. Cellar areas are subject to Section 706 (restrictive conductive locations). The premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 may impose specific electrical requirements as licence conditions.

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02 · Commercial Cost Guide

Cellar Cooling, Bar Equipment, and Dispense Systems

The cellar is one of the highest electrical load areas in a pub. Multiple cooling compressors, glycol coolers, and beer line refrigeration units all run continuously, creating a constant base load that must be properly designed into the distribution system.

  • Cellar cooling units — cellar coolers for ale and lager typically draw 0.5–2.5kW each. A pub running 4–6 cooling units has a continuous cellar cooling load of 3–12kW. Each unit requires a dedicated circuit with an isolator within sight of the unit, as required by BS 7671 Regulation 462.1.
  • CO₂ and N₂ gas detection — cellar CO₂ and nitrogen gas detection systems are required by HSE guidance where gas cylinders are stored (HSG187). The gas detection panel requires a dedicated mains supply and must trigger audible/visual alarms at the bar level. This wiring is typically small in scope (£300–£600) but must not be omitted — CO₂ build-up in an unventilated cellar is a serious risk.
  • Cellar IP ratings — cellar areas that are hosed down require IP44 minimum for socket outlets and IP44 or higher for light fittings. All metallic services in the cellar (cooling pipes, gas lines, structural metalwork) must be bonded to the main earthing terminal under BS 7671 Regulation 411.3.1.2.
  • Bar back equipment — undercounter bottle coolers, glasswashers (3–6kW), coffee machines (2–3.5kW), and chilled display cabinets all require individual circuits. A typical bar with full back-bar equipment has 8–16 dedicated circuits. Individual isolators or lockable fused spurs are recommended for each piece of equipment.
03 · Commercial Cost Guide

Gaming Machines and Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

Gaming machine electrical installations in pubs must comply with the Gambling Act 2005 (which governs the number and category of machines permitted), the premises licence conditions, and BS 7671 for the electrical supply to each machine.

  • Circuit requirements — each gaming machine position requires a dedicated 13A outlet with RCD protection. Shared circuits between gaming machines are not acceptable. The outlet must be a switched fused spur with the fuse rating matching the machine's maximum draw (typically 5A or 13A).
  • Documentation — machine positions must be documented in the premises licence or ancillary schedule. The electrician should confirm that the number of wired positions does not exceed the licence allowance. Any changes to machine positions require the landlord/licensee to notify the licensing authority.
  • FOBTs in betting-licensed pubs — where a pub holds an ancillary betting licence permitting Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, machine positions require additional network connectivity (typically Cat6 or fibre) in addition to the electrical supply. The electrician may be asked to install containment for the data cabling as part of the electrical works.
04 · Commercial Cost Guide

Emergency Lighting to BS 5266-1

Emergency lighting in pubs and bars is a legal requirement under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and the Licensing Act 2003. Inadequate emergency lighting is one of the most common reasons for licensing authority enforcement action.

  • Coverage requirements — emergency lighting must cover all escape routes (corridors, stairways leading to exits), each final exit door, changes of direction, and the cellar (if it has a separate exit). Bar areas over 60m² require anti-panic open-area emergency lighting at 0.5 lux minimum.
  • Letting rooms — pubs with upstairs letting rooms or staff accommodation require emergency lighting to BS 5266-1 in all sleeping areas, corridors, and common areas, with duration increased to 3 hours where sleeping accommodation is above ground floor.
  • Testing and log books — the premises licence responsible person must maintain an emergency lighting log book. Monthly function tests and an annual full discharge test are required. Self-test luminaires compliant with BS EN 62034 automate the test cycle and are increasingly specified for pub refurbishments.
  • Installation costs — emergency lighting for a typical community pub (ground floor only): £900–£2,500. A larger two-floor managed house with letting rooms: £2,500–£5,500. Self-test fittings add 20–35% to supply cost but reduce annual maintenance cost.
05 · Commercial Cost Guide

Fire Alarm Systems for Licensed Premises

The fire alarm system category for a pub is determined by the fire risk assessment (a legal obligation under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005). Wiring is governed by BS 5839-1. The licensing authority and fire safety officer both have powers to require specific fire alarm provisions as conditions of the licence.

  • Category M (manual only) — a basic pub without sleeping accommodation may require only a manual system with break-glass call points at all exits, connected to a panel and alarm sounders. Cost: £1,200–£3,000.
  • Category L3/L2 (automatic detection) — pubs with sleeping accommodation require automatic detection in high-risk areas (kitchen, plant rooms) and all escape routes. An addressable or conventional panel with heat and smoke detectors, beam detectors in large open spaces, and duct detectors in HVAC systems is typical. Cost: £3,000–£9,000.
  • Kitchen detection — standard ionisation or optical smoke detectors are not suitable for kitchens. BS 5839-1 requires either rate-of-rise heat detectors or fixed temperature heat detectors in kitchen areas to avoid false alarms. Multi-sensor or specialist kitchen-grade detectors are available.

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06 · Commercial Cost Guide

CCTV and Security Systems

CCTV is frequently a condition of the premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003, particularly in premises located in Cumulative Impact Zones (CIZs) or with a history of licensing concerns. The licensing authority specifies the coverage requirements in the licence conditions.

  • Standard licence CCTV requirements — main entrance (internal and external), bar area covering all points of sale, gaming machine positions, and exit doors. Footage retention typically 28–31 days as specified by the licensing authority.
  • Electrical installation — NVR/DVR supply circuit (typically 5A or 13A fused spur), PoE switch for IP cameras, cable containment for Cat6 cabling, and outdoor camera weatherproof conduit routes. Estimated electrical cost: £350–£900 for a typical pub.
  • Access control — larger managed houses may require electronic access control to cellar, safe room, and staff areas. Door access controllers require a 12–24V DC supply from a dedicated access control panel with battery backup. Electrical costs: £200–£600 per door depending on controller type.
07 · Commercial Cost Guide

Pub Electrical Installation Cost Breakdown 2025

The following cost estimates reflect 2025 UK rates including labour and materials but excluding VAT. London rates are typically 15–25% higher.

  • Main distribution board (3-phase, 100–200A TPN) — £1,000–£3,000.
  • Cellar electrical installation — £1,500–£4,000. Includes cooling unit circuits, CO₂ detection supply, IP-rated lighting, bonding, and isolators.
  • Bar and back-bar circuits — £1,200–£3,500. Glasswasher, bottle coolers, coffee machine, fridges, POS systems.
  • Gaming machine circuits (per machine) — £120–£250. RCD-protected fused spur, outlet, and testing.
  • Emergency lighting to BS 5266-1 — £900–£5,500 depending on floor area and whether letting rooms are present.
  • Fire alarm system — £1,200–£9,000 depending on category and addressable versus conventional.
  • General lighting, power and kitchen — £3,000–£10,000.
  • CCTV electrical supply — £350–£900.
  • Total new pub fit-out or full refurbishment — £12,000–£35,000. A small community pub: £12,000–£18,000. A large managed house with full kitchen, letting rooms, and extensive gaming: £28,000–£35,000+.
08 · Commercial Cost Guide

EICR Requirements for Licensed Premises

Pubs and licensed premises have multiple parties with an interest in the EICR — the pub company or freeholder, the tenant or leaseholder, the insurer, and the licensing authority. Understanding who requires what, and when, avoids compliance gaps.

  • Five-year maximum — commercial EICR maximum interval is five years. Pub company leases typically require an EICR on each change of tenant, meaning the interval is often driven by tenant turnover rather than the five-year limit.
  • Insurance requirements — pub insurers frequently require a satisfactory EICR as a condition of cover, particularly for fire-related coverage. An unsatisfactory or expired EICR may invalidate the policy.
  • Licensing authority — the licensing authority and fire safety officer can request the EICR and emergency lighting certification during routine inspections or following an incident. Failure to produce current satisfactory documentation may result in a review of the premises licence.
  • EICR costs for a pub — a typical pub EICR costs £350–£900 depending on size, number of distribution boards, and the scope of life-safety systems to be tested. Pubs with extensive cellar installations and multiple sub-boards are at the upper end.
09 · Commercial Cost Guide

For Electricians: Pub and Licensed Premises Electrical Work

Licensed premises electrical work is high-value and generates reliable repeat business — EICR cycles, emergency lighting maintenance contracts, reactive call-outs, and gaming machine position additions when licence conditions change. Electricians who understand licensing conditions and life-safety system requirements are highly valued by pub operators.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Pub Electrical Installation Costs

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