Temporary Event Notice Guidance

What is a temporary event notice?

You should apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) if you want to carry out a ‘licensable activity' on unlicensed premises.

A temporary event notice (TEN) allows you to host one-off events without needing to apply for a full Premises licence.

Licensable activity for a temporary event notice

There are several reasons why you may be looking at applying for a temporary events notice, that include:

• Supplying & selling alcohol
• Serving alcohol to members of a private club
• The provision of entertainment, such as an indoor sports event or live music
• Serving hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am

Restrictions of a temporary events notice

There are several restrictions that your temporary event must follow in order to keep your notice:

• Have fewer than 500 people at all times (a maximum of 499) – including the staff present who are running the event
• The event must last for no longer than 7 days
• You must be over 18 to apply for a temporary event notice (TEN)

How many temporary event notices can I apply for?

There is a limit to the number of TENs you can apply for.

• You need a TEN for each individual event that you hold on the same premises
• You can get up to 5 temporary event notices a year. If you have a personal licence to sell alcohol, you can be given up to 50 a year.
• A single premises can have up to 15 temporary event notices applied for in one year, as long as the total length of the events is not more than 21 days.
• If you’re organising separate but consecutive events, there must be at least a 24 hour gap between the finish and start of the next event.

How do I apply for a temporary event notice?

You must contact your local council to apply for a TEN. You must apply at least 10 clear Working Days before the start of the event, and these days do not include the day your council receives your application.

Late TENs

You could also apply for a late TEN no later than 5 working days before the event. If you do not have a person licence, you can serve only 2 late TENs per year. If you do have a personal licence, then you can serve upto 10 late TENs. 

Late temporary event notices count towards the total number of TENs you can have.

Objections and appeals to a TEN

Your local Council can only refuse a TEN if the police or environmental health object to it, which must be done within 3 working days of receiving the application.

They could object to a TEN on the grounds that your event could:

• Lead to disorder or crime
• Cause a public nuisance
• Be a threat to the safety of the public
• Put any children at risk

If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal to your local court. You must do this within 21 days, and at least 5 working days before the date of your event.

If the police or EHO reject a late TEN, the event cannot go ahead.

You could be fined if you make any false statements in your application for a temporary event notice, or face prosecution if you breach the terms of the notice. It’s important to get your application checked by an expert licensing solicitor to ensure that you’re not making any errors on your application.

Need help applying for a temporary event notice?

We can help you evaluate whether your application for a temporary event notice will be successful.

Get in touch with John Gaunt & Partners if you require assistance applying for a TEN.