Temporary Events Notices (TEN)

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.3) Regulations 2020  gives local authorities powers to issue prohibitions, requirements or restrictions in relation to indoor and outside events if:

• to hold the event would pose a serious and imminent threat to public health
• it is necessary to prevent and protect against the spread of infection of coronavirus in the area
• the prohibitions, requirements or restrictions imposed are a proportionate means of achieving that purpose.

If more than 30 people are expected to attend the event, you will need to get a risk assessment. The risk assessment must detail the safety controls that will be implemented throughout all areas of the event to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. It must allow officers to determine whether or not the measures proposed are sufficient to protect both staff and the public.

Guidance on producing a risk assessment can be found at Environmental Health - Food Safety and Standards. This process must consider the specific risks associated with the event, such as the expected level of attendance, scheduled activities and the control measures in line with the Government guidance and how these will be applied. In some cases following a review, you may be contacted and asked to modify a TEN if this allows for more effective controls during the event.

Failure to provide a suitable risk assessment is likely to result in objections being raised by Responsible Authorities and the TEN may be refused at this point.

Events and infection control data in the local area will be kept under constant review and any event may be subject to these measures up to and including the day of the proposed event.

Temporary Event Notice (TEN) authorises the sale or supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment or the provision of late night refreshment at premises which are not already authorised by a premises licence or club premises certificate. A TEN is suitable for all events including outdoor events where licensable activities are required for a short duration or one-off event.

The following limits apply:        

• no more than 499 people will be attending the event
• the event must last no longer than 168 hours   
• the event must not be within 24 hours of another event at the same premises    
• there cannot be more than 15 TENs on the same premises in a calendar year
• the 15 TENs can not exceed 21 days in duration.

A Temporary Event Notice must be given in writing to us, the Environmental Health department and the police. If you submit a TEN online, we will inform the relevant parties. There are two types of Temporary Event Notices:

• Standard - The person giving the TEN must normally serve the notice within a minimum of ten working days, exclusive of the day on which the event is to start, and exclusive of the day on which the notice is given
• Late - If less than ten working days’ notice, but more than five working days’ notice is given, it will be treated as a late TEN.

The number of Temporary Event Notices that can be submitted by a personal licence holder is limited to 50 (ten can be ‘late’ notices). For any other person, the number is limited to five (two can be ‘late’ notices). Any received after that period will not be valid and any licensable activities carried on will not be authorised.

Read our Licencing Act Guidance if you need help.

A fee of £21.00 must be paid at the time an application is made. You will be able to pay using the form.

Apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) online.

We maintain public registers for all granted licences. View a summary of the public register licences, consents, permits and registrations.