Counting to TEN - A Guide to Temporary Event Notices

The penalty for selling alcohol or providing entertainment without a  licence is a fine of £20,000 and up to six months imprisonment. Normally this means you must apply for a Premises Licence. Not cheap!

But, if you're organising a one-off event, or needing to extend an existing licence for an hour or two, your answer might be a Temporary Event Notice (TEN).

Rob Newman, Partner and Licensing Expert at Kitsons, Celebration of Food Corporate Sponsor, gives us the low down.

A TEN can make life easier for people organising temporary events - and it will- provided you understand the rules and stick to them.

• Check the numbers - You can't apply for a TEN if you're expecting 500 or more people
• Count the hours - Rules limit the length of an event (96 hours) and the interval between events - 24 hours.  
• Count the days - The Act allows TENS for 12 events a year, totalling no more than 15 days a year per premise. You may be able to extend this though, as different parts of a building might qualify, legally, as different "premises"  
• Check the organiser - No more than 5 events can be organised by one individual in any year (50 if they have a personal licence.)
• Read the form - Make sure you follow the instructions on the application form. Any gaps will mean it could be rejected. 
• Count the days, again - You must give 10 clear days notice to the council and the police before the event.  That's working days!
• Pay the fee - The charge will be £21 - which must be sent with the application

There are few grounds for objectors to block the application. Provided you manage to tick all the right boxes you should get the TEN back from the council within a day or two.

 For more information, contact Rob Newman on 01803 202020 or email rob.newman@kitsons-solicitors.co.uk