Temporary Event Notices (TEN) provide a way to licence smaller events in areas where licensable activities are not normally permitted. 

TEN will be required for the following activities:

• the sale of alcohol;
• the supply of alcohol in clubs,
• the provision of regulated entertainment (live and recorded music, dancing, film, theatre etc.)
• the provision of hot food at any time between 11pm and 5am.

The TEN can be used in two ways:

• to organise a small 'one-off' event, at any premises (where the premises is not already licensed). So, for example, a TEN would cover a disco in an unlicensed hall, function room, or any premises (including places in the open air), and would cover the sale of alcohol and any other activities selected by the premises user; or
• to cover a small-scale event at a premises (which already has a premises licence or a club premises certificate), either to extend the hours already permitted, or to cater for extra activities (not included in the existing premises licence or club premises certificate). Where, for example, a qualifying club would like to stage an event where members of the public can attend and benefit from the facilities then, if a TEN is given, the public would be able to be admitted to the club premises on this occasion.

Limitations on the use of TENs

There are, however, strict limitations which apply to the use of TENs:

• there may not be more than 499 people attending the event at any one time (including performers and staff)
• the event may not last any longer than 168 hours
• there may only be 12 such events per year at any one premises.  Your new allocation starts 1st January each year.
• the total number of days (aggregate maximum period of time) per year covered by TENs at any one premises, is 21 days, irrespective of the number of events.
• Any event beginning before midnight and continuing into the next day would count as two days towards the 21 day limit.
• there must be a minimum of 24 hours between each event
• You must be aged 18 or over to give a TEN
• The number of temporary event notices you can apply for depends on whether or not you hold a personal licence:

Standard Temporary Event Notices and Late Temporary Event Notices

There are two types of TENs; a standard TEN and a Late TEN.  These are subject to different processes. 

• a standard notice is given no later than 10 working days before the event to which it relates; and
• a late notice is given not before 9 and not later than 5 working days before the event.

The same form is used for both standard and late TENs.  Late TENs are intended to be used by premises users who are required for reasons outside their control to, for example, change the venue at short notice.  They should not be used save in exceptional circumstances.

Forms and procedures for Temporary event notices

Two copies of a completed Temporary Event Notice must be given to the Licensing Authority, and copy of the form must be sent to the police and to Environmental Health before an event can be held.  Please be aware that the minimum timescales in the application process are extremely tight, therefore it is imperative that you ensure your application is completed properly and copied to the police.  Any errors could invalidate the notice and leave your event in jeopardy.  We therefore strongly recommend that you give more than the minimum required notice for these types of licences to maximise the chance of a successful notification.

Only the Police and Environmental Health can object to these notices.  If they do not object, the function can go ahead.

The following table describes several procedures relating to temporary event notices, and provides links to forms and guidance.  More detailed guidance is given on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) website.  You can view this site with the link on the right hand side

Contact Us

Licensing Team
Assets and Environment
Tamworth Borough Council
Marmion House
Lichfield Street
Tamworth
B79 7BZ

Telephone: 01827 709445

Email: envhealthadmin@tamworth.gov.uk

This page was last updated 27 April 2012