Apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)

A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) is required for small scale events where you're planning to:

• sell alcohol
• serve alcohol to members of a private club
• provide late-night refreshment
• put on regulated entertainment

The event must have fewer than 500 people at all times (including staff) and cannot last for longer than 168 hours (7 days).

If your event exceeds these limits you may have to apply for a Premises Licence

Both licensed premises and those without any licence may need to apply for a temporary event notice (TEN).

Before you apply, you should read our Temporary Event Notice guidance notes (PDF, 271KB)

There are two types of TENs:

• Standard TEN
• Late TEN

You must apply for a standard TEN no later than 10 clear working days before an event is due to take place.

A Late TEN can be given no later than 5 clear working days before an event is due to take place. Make sure that you tick the box for a Late TEN when applying.

The fee for a TEN is £21.

We will acknowledge your TEN within 2 working days. If you apply online for a TEN, we'll automatically notify the responsible authorities.

If you have applied for a TEN in the past year, see information on the yearly limits for applicants.

There must be at least 24 hours between temporary events organised by the same person (or an associate) in relation to the same premises.

There are limits on the number of TENs you can apply for each year:

• 5 TENs (50 if you're a personal licence holder)
• 2 late TENs (10 if you're a personal licence holder)
• 15 TENs per premises

You need a TEN for each event you hold even if it takes place on the same premises.

A TEN can only be granted for a maximum of 21 combined days worth of events in a calendar year.

If you need to cancel a TEN and don't want it to be deducted from your yearly limit, you will need to contact us at least 24 hours before the event was planned.

Otherwise we will still deduct the TEN from your yearly limit, even if the event doesn't go ahead.

The council cannot refuse a notice unless the police or environmental health object to it. They must do this within 3 working days of receiving it. They can only object if they think your event could:

• lead to crime and disorder
• cause a public nuisance
• be a threat to public safety
• put children at risk of harm

If there’s an objection, your council’s licensing committee will hold a meeting (called a ‘hearing’) no later than 24 hours before the event (unless all parties agree that a hearing is not needed).

At the hearing, the committee will either approve, add conditions or reject the notice.

If the police or environmental health object to a late TEN, the notice will not be valid and you cannot hold the event.

If you disagree with the licensing committee’s decision, you can appeal to your local magistrates’ court. You must do this within 21 days, and at least 5 working days before the date of your event.

A fee of £10.50 is due if you require a replacement copy of your TEN, due to theft/loss.

To request a replacement TEN, get in contact with us.

If you need help making your application, contact licensing.