Temporary Event Notices

Before an ad-hoc event including licensable activities takes place in England or Wales, the local licensing authority (for the place where the activities are planned to take place) must be given Notice that "licensable activities" are planned.  A Temporary Event Notice can be submitted online, or by post.

It is an offence to offer unauthorised licensable activities, punishable on conviction by a fine of up to £20,000 and or six months' imprisonment.

An individual can give a temporary event notice (TEN) to the licensing authority for the area, no later than ten clear working days before the event (this does not include either the day we receive it, or the day of the event).  We strongly recommend that at least six weeks' notice be given to allow time for problems to be resolved.

Licensable activities are:

• The sale of alcohol by retail
• The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of a club
• The provision of regulated entertainment
• The provision of late night refreshment (the supply of hot food or hot drink to the public between 11pm and 5am)

Although the TEN process was designed to involve “exceptionally light touch bureaucracy”, the law adds a number of limitations:

• The person giving the TEN must be aged 18 years or over.
• No premises (even public houses) may have more than 12 temporary events in any calendar year (the period between 1 January to 31 December).
• No premises may be used on more than 15 days per calendar year in total (an event that spans midnight counts as 2 days*).
• Personal licence holders may give up to 50 notices per calendar year (but these would have to be spread over at least five different premises as only 12 TENS can be given to any one premises in a year).Non- personal licence holders can only give up to 5 notices per year.
• Each event may last no more than 96 hours.
• No more than 499 persons can attend the event.

There must be at least 24 hours between events notified by the premises user – or by a relation or business associate of that person - in respect of the same premises.

Where the Police object to a TEN on grounds of crime and disorder – or where the limitations above aren’t met, a decision as to whether or not the TEN will be accepted will be made by Licensing Sub-Committee. If only ten day’s notice of the event has been given, we may not be aware of problems until a few days before the proposed event. Since a decision has to be given 24 hours before the proposed event, there will be little notice possible in arranging the hearing.

An activity that can be licensed must be carried out as detailed in a notice that must be given.

The notice must be in a specific format and must be made by someone over 18 years of age.  NB the forms for the "online" service may not be used to make a postal application.

The notice should contain:

• if alcohol is to be supplied, a statement confirming that it is a condition of using the premises that the supplies are made under the premises user's authority
• a statement relating to certain matters
• any other required information

The matters referred to above are:

• details of the licensable activities
• the event period
• the times when during that period the activities will take place
• the maximum number of people proposed to be allowed on the premises
• any other required matters

Read the legislation

The TEN must be given in writing, in duplicate, to the local authority at least ten working days before the event (not including the day it is received by the Authority nor the day of the event). A fee is payable with the notice (currently £21, cheques payable to Wychavon District Council).

The local authority will acknowledge receipt of the notice by giving a notice to the premises user before the end of the first working day it was received or before the end of the second working day if the day the notice was received is not a working day.

The premises user must also give notice to the chief officer of the Police (c/o Licensing Officer, West Mercia Constabulary, Police Station, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3QX) no later than ten working days before the event period.

The chief police officer who receives a notice and believes that the event would undermine crime prevention objectives can serve an objection notice on the licensing authority and the premises user. This notice must be served within 48 hours of receipt of the temporary event notice.

The local licensing authority must hold a hearing if an objection notice is served. They may issue a counter notice if it considers it necessary for the promotion of crime prevention objective. A decision must be made at least 24 hours before the beginning of the event.

A police chief may modify the TEN with the consent of the premises user. In such a case an objection notice will be deemed to have been withdrawn.

Counter notices may be provided by the licensing authority if the number of permitted TENs has been exceeded.

Yes. A temporary event may be held as long as the notice has been properly given and there is no objection from the Police within 48 hours of receipt of the notice.  You can contact us online here if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or use the contact details below.

On line facilities are provided by the national "Business Link" website - we are unable to assist with technical difficulties.  You must have the latest version of Acrobat Reader (free) for the service to operate, and will be required to register with the Government Gateway (free).  Payment is taken securely online by our partners, WorldPay.

Submit a Temporary Event Notice (and pay for it) online.

Please note that if you encounter problems using the online process above, you can NOT use the downloaded form to apply by post.  Assuming that you have the latest version of Acrobat Reader (available here): do not worry about the digital signature.  Carefully check the form until it shows no errors when you save it.  Only then attempt to upload it - the system will then take you to the payments page.

A TEN can be obtained by delivering two copies of a completed (postal) application to us, together with  the correct fee (£21), at least ten clear working days before the event.  You must also deliver a copy to the Police - Licensing Officer, West Mercia Constabulary, Police Station, Castle Street, Worcester, WR1 3QX. 

Please use a "large packet" stamp to be sure your Notices arrive.

Please note that if you encounter problems using the online process above, you can NOT use the downloaded form to apply by post.

In common with other applications made under the Licensing Act 2003, (postal) application forms are available from the DCMS website - or will be sent by us on request.  Our fact sheet can be downloaded here.

Please contact us in the first instance.

If a counter notice is given in relation to an objection notice the applicant may appeal against the decision. Appeals must be made to the local Magistrates' court within 21 days. An appeal may not be brought later than five working days from the day of the planned event.

Please contact us, in the first instance.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

If a licensing authority decides not to issue a counter notice in relation to an objection notice the chief police officer can appeal the decision. Appeals must be made to the local Magistrates' court within 21 days. An appeal may not be brought later than five working days from the day of the planned event.

Anyone suffering nuisance due to noise, smells or similar because of a commercial premises should contact Worcestershire Regulatory Services (Community Protection)

Telephone: 01905 822799  (Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm)
Email:       environmental.health@wychavon.gov.uk

National Outdoor Events Association (NDEA)

Society of Event Organisers (SEO)

Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA)

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