Temporary Event Notice Guidance

What is a temporary event notice?

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

As mentioned, these are often ad-hoc events for unlicensed premises, but licensed premises may give a TEN if they wish to temporarily exclude to their current Premises Licence.

A temporary event notice also allows you to host one-off events without needing to apply for a full Premises Licence.

If you require support in requesting a Temporary Event Notice, please fill out our Contact Form today, or call or email us directly for more information.

Do I need a TEN for my licensed premises?

There are several reasons why you may be looking at requesting a temporary events notice, including:

• Sale of alcohol
• Selling alcohol to members of a private club
• The provision of regulated entertainment, such as indoor sporting events or live music and recorded music
• Serving hot food or drink between 23:00 and 05:00.

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 you must consider before requesting your temporary event notice and through your event, which are:

• TENs can only be requested for events with fewer than 500 people at all times (a maximum of 499) – including the staff present who are running the event
• The event cannot last longer than 168 hours (equates to 7 days)
• You must be over 18 to request 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 give.

• You need a TEN for each individual event that you hold on the same premises
• You can give up to 5 temporary event notices per calendar year. If you hold a valid personal licence to sell alcohol, you can be given up to 50 per calendar year.
• A single premises can give up to 15 temporary event notices per calendar year, providing 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 24 hours between each TEN.

How do I give a temporary event notice?

You must contact your local council to give a TEN. You must submit your TEN 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 and the first day of the event.

Late TENs

Although we would always recommend a standard TEN be given within the above timeframes, you can also give notice for a late TENs no later than 5 working days before the event. If you do not have a personal licence, you can serve only 2 late TENs per year. If you do have a personal licence, then you can serve up to 10 late TENs.

Late temporary event notices count towards the total number of TENs you can give per calendar year.

Late TENs can be objected to (and we know some authorities and police who object to all Late TENs as a matter of policy, and there is no right to contest this objection.

Understand who will give the TEN

A Temporary Event Notice is always made in an individual’s name. With this in mind, that individual must be either the premises owner, the Premises Licence Holder, the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) or someone who works at the premises and will be present during the event.

If the holder of the TEN is no longer at the premises, you must reissue the TEN to a member of staff who will accept the responsibility and will be present at the event.

Objections and appeals to a TEN

Your local Council can only refuse a TEN if the police or the authority that deals with environmental health object to it. The objection must be given to the local Council within 3 working days of receiving the TEN.

The police or authority that deals with environmental health could object to a TEN on the grounds that your event could:

• Lead to crime or disorder
• 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 Magistrates’ court. You must do this within 21 days, and at least 5 working days before the date of your event.

If the police or the authority that deals with environmental health late TEN, the event cannot go ahead.

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

Temporary Event Notice Costs

Temporary Event Notices are relatively inexpensive, and cost only £21 per notice.

While inexpensive, avoiding objections to a Temporary Events Notice can be difficult. As such, we recommend acquiring the services of a licensing solicitor to give you the best possible chance of success.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a temporary event notice for a wedding?

You may require a TENs notice for a wedding or wedding reception if it is a one-off event that is not usually held on your premises or is not within the stipulations of the premises licence. If you frequently hold weddings at your premises, you may wish to use a temporary event notice to extend the hours of licensable activities.

A TEN does not enable you to get legally married at the venue however, to do this the venue would need a marriage licence.

What are the grounds for objecting to a temporary event notice must be based on?

The Police or the local authority who deals with matters of environmental health or harm to human health, may object to a temporary event licence if it does not promote one or more of the licensing objectives. The licensing objectives include:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Protection of children
• Public Safety

How long do police or the environmental health authority have to object to a temporary event notice?

Police and the authority that deals with environmental health have three working days to object to a temporary events notice. Their objections must be based on the licensing objectives.

What is an example of a temporary event?

A temporary event could be any number of events that are not part of a premises’ usual operations. This could include a public exhibition, a wedding, or even extra hours to watch a sports event. 

Ad-hoc events, transitory events and events on unlicensed premises are also considered temporary, for instance, outdoor events or public events like a festival, or circus.

Do you have to display a temporary event notice?

Once you have received your temporary event notice, you must either:

• Prominently display the temporary event notice at the premises
• Or keep the temporary display notice at the premises and on your person or nominated person, who must be present and working at the premises. You must ensure a notice detailing the nominated person and their position is prominently displayed.

It is an offence if you fail to produce a temporary event notice without reasonable excuse when requested by an authorised person.

Can I object to a temporary event notice?

The only people who can object to a Temporary Event Notice are the police and authorities who deal with matters of Environmental Health. A licensing authority may also issue a counter notice if the event exceeds the limits under the legislation.

What is a permitted temporary activity?

A permitted temporary event is an event that lasts no longer than 168 hours. Temporary events can occur in any licensed or unlicensed premises, temporary structure, or open space, as long as a Temporary Events Notice is acquired.

Do I need a ten for a private party?

If you are hosting a private party (which includes a licensable activity, such as sale of alcohol)  at a premises, temporary structure, or open space, you will need to acquire a Temporary Event Notice. The event period can last not longer than 168 hours, and the capacity must not be above 499 people, including performers, staff, etc. 

Please also be aware that if an event runs past midnight, this counts as a two-day event.

How many TENs can a premises have?

A single premises can give up to fifteen TEN in a year as long as the accumulated total of event time is no longer than 21 days per calendar year.

Non-Personal Licence Holders may give up to five TENs in a year, and if you have a personal licence for selling alcohol, you may give up to 50 TENs a year.