Alcohol licence for an event venue
Event venues can be licensed in different ways depending on how often licensable activities take place, how many people attend and whether alcohol sales are a regular part of the business.
A permanent Premises Licence suits a venue carrying on licensable activities on an ongoing basis, while a Temporary Event Notice can authorise qualifying occasional events.
Permanent Premises Licence
A Premises Licence is designed for ongoing permissions at a particular premises. If events form a regular commercial part of the venue, relying repeatedly on TENs may be impractical and a Premises Licence should be considered.
- Sale or supply of alcohol
- Regulated entertainment where licensing is required
- Late-night refreshment
- Indoor and outdoor event areas
- Different operating hours for different activities
- Conditions relevant to noise, dispersal, security and public safety
When a TEN may be useful
A Temporary Event Notice is a short-term route for qualifying temporary licensable activities, subject to statutory limits, notice periods and capacity restrictions.
- A one-off event at otherwise unlicensed premises
- A temporary extension of activities
- A pop-up or short series of qualifying events
- A limited event outside the normal Premises Licence permissions
Weddings and private functions
A wedding being "private" does not automatically remove licensing requirements if alcohol is being sold or supplied in a way that amounts to a licensable activity. The structure of the package, the bar operation and the venue permissions should all be checked.
Capacity and event management
The licensing process may consider how the venue manages arrivals, departures, noise, security, emergency arrangements and the protection of children. Larger or more complex venues may need more detailed operating measures, set out in the operating schedule.
Before you advertise an event
Confirm that the required licence or TEN can be in place for the intended date and activity. Do not assume an application will be granted, or that a TEN is available, until the statutory limits and notice periods have been checked.
Timescales and costs: how long a premises licence takes and premises licence fees. Already licensed? A variation may be the right route.
Need help licensing an event venue?
We can advise whether a permanent Premises Licence or a Temporary Event Notice is the more appropriate route, and prepare the relevant application.
For existing venues, we can also review whether a full or minor variation is needed.
Premises Licence Application
- Premises licence or TEN advice
- Application preparation and submission
- Operating schedule for events
- Variations for existing venues
Free initial consultation.
Related licensing guides
Premises licence
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