Temporary Event Notices

Temporary Event Notices replace the existing Occasional Permissions and Occasional Licences systems from  November 2005 and relate to temporary events with less than 500 attendees where licensable activities are planned to take place during a period not exceeding 168 hours and a premises licence is not held or does not cover the period requested by the Temporary Event Notice.

Whilst formal applications have to be made at least 10 working days before the event, there is now a system where a late Temporary Event Notice can be made if the time limit to the event is between 5 to 9 working days.  However, if you are planning a major event you may wish to consider the issues as soon as possible.

Who can apply?
Any person, aged 18 or over, whether or not they hold an existing licence who will be the 'premises user'

When should I apply ?
'Premises users' will be required to provide the Licensing Authority, which is the local Council for the area, the Environmental Health department and the chief officer of police for the area, with such a Notice within the timescale as shown above prior to the event commencement date.

You are strongly recommended to contact us at an early stage before a formal application is made. This is particularly important where it is proposed to hold a major event. Early consideration will enable responsible authorities to consider and discuss with organisers their plans and avoid potential representations.

What information is required ?
A Notice must include a statement on the following matters:

The licensable activities to take place
The period (not exceeding 168 hours) during which the premises will be used
The times during that period the activities will take place
The maximum number of persons (not exceeding 500) who will attend at any one time
If alcohol will be supplied whether it will be consumed on or off the premises or both. (All such supplies will be by or under the authority of the premises user)
Other items as may be specified by the Secretary of State

Limitations

Personal licence holders may make up to 50 applications per year; non personal licence holders may make up to 5 applications per year.  In the case of a late Temporary Event Notice, personal licence holders may make up to 10 applications per year; non personal licence holders may make up to 2 applications per year.
Each event may last no more than 168 hours
No premises may be used more than 12 times per year
No premises may be used for greater than 21 days per year in total
There must be at least 24 hours between Notices at the same premises by the same premises user

Notes:
Two Notices are in respect of the same premises if the whole or any part of the premises forms part of the premises specified in the other Notice.
Notices are regarded as coming from the premises user where they come from: someone in business with them and the business relates to licensable activities; the users spouse or partner; child, parent, grandchild, grandparent, brother, sister or their spouses or partners; the users agent or employee or their spouses or partners.

What else should I consider ?
Applicants should be aware that the serving on the Council of a Temporary Event Notice does not remove their obligations under other legislation. Where necessary, permissions should be sought from the appropriate body.

The Council strongly recommends that applicants familiarise themselves with their obligations in respect of the following:

• Planning permission
• Health and Safety
• Noise pollution
• The erection of temporary structures
• Road closures
• The use of pyrotechnics
• Anti-social behaviour.

Applicants intending to sell alcohol should be aware that it is an offence to supply alcohol to minors or persons who are drunk. Also that the Police have powers to close down events without notice on the grounds of disorder, the likelihood of disorder or because of public nuisance caused by noise.

As a limit of less than 500 persons at any one time applies to temporary events and failure to comply with this limit may lead to prosecution, where appropriate, organisers are strongly recommended to employ means of recording the number of persons entering and leaving the premises.

How much does it cost?
A fee of £21 is payable when you serve the Notice.
If you lose the Notice or it is stolen a fee of £10.50 is payable for a replacement

Acknowledgement
The Council will either acknowledge receipt of the Notice or provide a counter notice in consideration of any police objection. Where there is a police objection, the Council's licensing committee will hold a hearing unless agreed unnecessary by the premises user and the police. This may be because the user and the police have agreed to modify the Notice.

The Council may also serve a counter notice if any of the limitations above are exceeded.

Keeping the Notice
When the premises are being used for any licensable activity under the Notice a copy of it must be prominently displayed at the premises or be at the premises under the control of the user or a person working at the premises who has been nominated. Where the Notice itself is not displayed, a Notice specifying the position held at the premises of the person in control of the Notice must be prominently displayed at the premises . A constable or authorised officer can ask for the Notice to be produced.

• Licensable Activities
• Sale or Supply of Alcohol
• Regulated Entertainment
• Late Night Refreshment