To hold an occasional event in England or Wales that involves the sale of alcohol or the provision of entertainment, you must submit a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).
If the premises where the event is to be held is in areas governed by 2 or more local authorities, applications must be made to each.
Submit a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)
Minimum notice periods
We advise you apply for your TEN at least 6 weeks before the event. Don't leave it to the last minute in case there is an objection or problem.
Minimum notice periods are provided below.
- Standard TEN:10 clear working days' notice must be given - this means you cannot count the day on which the event is to start, or the day on which the notice is given
- Late TEN: 9 to 5 clear working days' notice must be given - this means you cannot count the day on which the event is to start, or the day on which the notice is given
You can only have 2 of late TENs per calendar year as a non-personal licence holder and if the police or pollution control authority object, the TEN will be invalid.
Fee and payment
The fee for a Temporary Event Notice is £21.
Payment must be made at the same time a TEN is submitted. Your submission will be invalid and cannot be processed further if you don't submit the fee with your TEN.
The Licensing Act 2003 makes no provision for refunds. This includes where a notice is withdrawn or submitted in error.
Licensable activities
You will need a licence for:
- any sale or supply of alcohol - this includes giving it away as part of a wider ticket, for example "fish and chip supper including free glass of wine" or "complimentary" with a haircut.
- entertainment - consisting of plays, films, an indoor sporting event, boxing or wrestling, a performance of live or recorded music, any playing of recorded music, any performance of dance, or entertainment of a similar description where the entertainment is for the public. If the entertainment is private but intended to make a profit this is a licensable activity, no matter where the proceeds go - this includes fundraising activities
Larger events
In general, the licensing authority expects organisers of large events to apply for a premises licence and to supply an event management and safety plan with their application. This allows for the maximum consultation period and full consideration by the responsible authorities (for example, police, fire and rescue, environmental health) and the public.
If any of the following apply to you, email licensing@elmbridge.gov.uk to determine whether a TEN or a premises licence application would be most appropriate:
- there will be 200 or more persons attending the event
- you need an event management plan for the event
- the event will be outdoors, and music will be provided
- the event is not at a premises where people ordinarily gather (for example, a village or church hall)
- you will be using a temporary structure such as a stage or similar
- the event will be at a premises where an alcohol or entertainment licence does not exist
- the event will last several days
The above list is not exhaustive. Any queries about the most appropriate authorisation for your event, please contact licensing@elmbridge.gov.uk. Be aware that TENs for larger scale events are more likely to attract objections from the police or environmental health.
Risk assessments
It is your responsibility to ensure you are running a safe event and that you have the knowledge, skills, abilities and competence to put on a safe event, and be prepared to get expertise and assistance as necessary to fulfil that duty.
A risk assessment will help you decide whether you have done everything you need to, see the Health and Safety Executive (HSE): Managing risk.
If you are an employer looking to hold a temporary event, see health and safety advice for businesses.
Contact us
For further information, email licensing@elmbridge.gov.uk or call 01372 474748.