Temporary event notice

If you’re organising a temporary event and want to serve or sell alcohol, provide late night refreshment, or put on regulated entertainment, you’ll need to complete a temporary event notice (TEN).

For the purpose of a TEN, a temporary event is a relatively small-scale event attracting fewer than 500 people and lasting no more than 168 hours.

When you need a TEN

You need a TEN if:

• alcohol is sold at your event
• entertainment continues after 11pm
• food and drink are served after 11pm

Find out more about TENs on GOV.UK including refusals and how to appeal a refusal. 

Before you start

You should:

• read the temporary event notice regulations
• check the Live Music Act as not all forms of entertainment require a licence
• include the £21 fee for a TEN
• consider how you are going to manage noise from your event. A member of the Environmental Health Team may be in contact to discuss this with you

You must submit your TEN application at least 10 working days before the event. This period does not include the day of receipt by the Licensing Team or the day of the event. We advise that you submit your application as soon as you can to avoid refusal of the application and cancellation of the event.

We will inform the Police and Environmental Health Department when we receive your notice.

How many TENs you can apply for

You can apply for up to 5 temporary event notices per year without the need for a personal licence. There must be at least 24 hours between events. 

Personal licence holders can apply for up to 50 temporary event notices per year for events at premises with no licence or for premises with a licence, where the licence does not cover planned activities.

No premises will be granted more than 15 temporary event notices per year or for a total of more than 21 days per year.

Read the TEN guidance notes for more information.

Apply for a TEN

Select the area in which your event is taking place: