You will need a temporary event notice (TEN) if you want to carry out a licensable activity on unlicensed premises.

Licensable activities include:

  • selling alcohol
  • supplying alcohol to members of a club
  • providing regulated entertainment, such as music or plays
  • serving hot food between 11pm and 5am

You will also need a TEN if the licensable activity you wish to carry out is not included in the terms of your existing licence, e.g. holding a wedding reception at a community centre.

Events covered by TENs must:

  • not host more than 499 people at all times – including staff running the event. For larger events, find out about premises licences.
  • last no more than 168 hours (7 days)

You must apply for a TEN at least 10 clear working days before your event. This does not include the day you apply and the day of your event. A late TEN can be given in exceptional circumstances.

You need a TEN for each event you hold at the same premises. You can get up to 5 TENs a year. If you already have a personal licence to sell alcohol you can be given up to 50 TENs a year. 

A single premises can have up to 15 TENs a year as long as the total length of the events is not more than 21 days. 

If you are organising separate but consecutive events, there must be at least a 24 hour gap between them.