Temporary Event Notices (TENS) can be used for temporary events involving licensable activities.

Such activities can include the sale of alcohol, in which case the premises user does not need a Personal Licence.

The police can object to a TEN on the grounds of crime and disorder.  If they do object the event cannot go ahead unless it is possible to find a solution by negotiation or determined by a hearing.

Each TEN costs £21.00. Cheques should be made payable to Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Using a Temporary Event Notice

The premises user must:

• send two copies of the TEN form to the Licensing Authority, together with the fee
• send one copy to the police
• ensure that they arrive at least ten clear working days before the event.

"Ten working days’" notice means 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. A "working day" is defined as any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday, or a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 in England and Wales.

Although ten working days is the minimum requirement, we strongly suggest that at least one month's notice is given in order to facilitate the process.

We will return one copy of your notice, suitably marked, as a receipt.

Deadlines

• The Licensing Authority will acknowledge each TEN within two working days.
• The police have 48 hours to object to a TEN.  A hearing would then be held within 7 working days of the deadline on a date set by Licensing Services in order to establish whether the event can go ahead .

Limits on the use of Temporary Event Notices

• Anyone aged 18 or over can give a maximum of five TENS per calendar year.
• Personal licence holders can give a maximum of fifty TENS per calendar year.
• Each event covered by a TEN can last up to 96 hours
• No more than twelve TENS can be given in respect of any particular premises in any calendar year, subject to a maximum of 15 days.
• There must be a minimum of 24 hours between events.

Using Temporary Event Notices for a series of events

It will be possible to send a series of TENS together (for the academic year, for example) provided that they arrive at least ten working days before the date of the first event.

Large Scale Events

TENS cannot be used for events of 500 people or more. If you are planning such an event, you will need to obtain a Premises Licence.

Notes and Regulations

The Government gives full details of Temporary Event Notice Regulations.

For further information, see the Government's Temporary Event Notice questions and answers at: 

http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/Alcohol_entertainment/licensing_act_2003_explained/permitted_temporary_activities.htm