Temporary event notice
You will need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) if you wish to hold a temporary event or function for entertainment purposes and alcohol sales that last for fewer than seven consecutive days and where there will be fewer than 499 people attending.
Applications must be received at least 10 working days before the event is due to take place.
You can also submit an application between five and nine workings days prior to the event but this would be classed as a late TEN.
If your event is postponed or cancelled you will need to submit a new Temporary Event Notice for the event. The dates cannot be amended and no refunds are given for cancelled events.
Number of TENs allowed per calendar year
| Type of applicant | Number of TENs allowed |
|---|---|
| Non-personal licence holder | 5 (of which 2 can be late TENs) |
| Personal licence holder | 50 (of which 10 can be late TENs) |
The limit that each premises can be covered by a TEN is a maximum of 15 occasions per year (that amount to no more than 21 days in total).
Do I need to apply for a TEN for my event?
| Type of event | Licence required | Licence not required |
|---|---|---|
| Raffle with alcohol as a prize | - | No Providing the alcohol is in sealed containers |
| Tombola with bottles of alcohol as prizes | - | No Providing the alcohol is in sealed containers |
| Private birthday party/wedding. Alcohol being sold at a pay bar | Yes A licence would also be required for any regulated entertainment |
- |
| Private birthday party/wedding. Alcohol being provided free of charge | - | No for the alcohol A licence may be required for regulated entertainment |
| Charity event ticket only. With alcohol included in the ticket price | Yes A licence would also be required if there was any regulated entertainment |
- |
| Any event with a pay bar | Yes Sale of alcohol |
- |
| Bring your own alcohol to an event e.g. quiz evening | - | No Providing that there is no corkage fee |
| Rural cinema/film showings | Yes Films are licensable entertainment unless the films are purely educational |
- |
| Any event with entertainment e.g. disco, band | Yes If the event is a private event then a licence is not needed unless the purpose of the event is to make a profit - this includes fund raising for charitable purposes |
- |
| Race nights | Yes Comes under the showing of films. If there is any financial gain taking place you will need to seek advice under the Gambling Act 2005. Don't forget if you have alcohol sales you will require a licence |
- |
| Poker nights | Yes Would only require a TEN if there are alcohol sales or entertainment taking place. There are very strict guidelines in place for poker under the Gambling Act 2005. Please contact us for more information |
- |
| Mulled wine at a Christmas event | Yes If the wine is alcoholic and being sold, either by ticket, donation or cash |
No If being given away or the wine is non-alcoholic |
| Late night refreshment The sale of hot food and/or hot drinks between 11pm and 5am |
Yes | - |
| Children's birthday party | Yes If music and dancing are being held |
No If no music or dancing |
| Theatre | Yes | - |
| Ballet show | Yes | - |
How to apply
Before applying, read the Temporary Event Notice guidance notes for details of how to apply, the eligibility criteria, fees and the documentation you will need to provide.
You can apply by downloading an application form from the link below and sending a copy to the licensing function and operational services at the council and the police.
Or you can apply online below. NOTE: if you apply online the responsibility lies with the Licensing Authority to serve copies of the application to the relevant authorities.
Apply for a TENFee
The fee for a temporary event notice is £21.
What happens next
The TEN will be acknowledged the same day that we receive the application. The responsible authorities have three working days to serve an objection notice if they feel that there will be an adverse impact on the licensing objectives. If the application has not received an objection after three working days the application is deemed as granted.
If an objection notice is received against a standard TEN, a licensing committee will meet to determine the application. If an objection is made against a late TEN, the event cannot go ahead and no appeal can be made.