Temporary Event Notices (TENs)
A temporary event notice (TEN) allows a premises or a property to be used for small scale ad hoc events.
TENs cover the temporary carrying on of the sale or supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment or the provision of late night refreshment at premises which are not authorised by a premises licence or club premises certificate.
Terms
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.
The event must involve no more than 499 people at any one time. This maximum figure includes the audience, spectators or consumers as well as staff organisers, stewards and performers who will be present on the premises.
Each event covered by a TEN can last no longer than 96 hours.
If your event exceeds any of these limits, a full premises licence or club premises certificate would be required for the period of the event.
You must notify us of your event no later than 10 working days before the day on which the event is to start. It is advisable to obtain proof of postage.
Under the Licensing Act 2003 the Licensing Authority and South Yorkshire Police cannot accept late applications.
If you are close to the 10 working day deadline, it is advisable to hand deliver your application.
See the contact us page for details of our reception service.
Costs
The fee for a TEN is £21 and is payable on submission of the notice to us.
Eligibility Criteria
TENs are subject to maximum limits:
- No more than twelve TENs can be given in respect of any particular premises in any calendar year (a calendar year is the period between 1 January and 31 December inclusive, in any year)
- TENs are subject to a maximum aggregate duration of the periods covered by TENs at any individual premises of 15 days in any year
- There must be a minimum of 24 hours between events notified by a premises user or associates of that premises user in respect of the same premises.
If your event exceeds any of these limits, a full premises licence or club premises certificate would be required for the period of the event.
The notice is a standard form (see ‘Making an Application’ below) and should contain:
- if alcohol is to be supplied, a statement confirming that it is a condition of using the premises that the supplies are made under the premises user's authority
- details of the licensable activities
- the event period
- the times when during that period the activities will take place
- the maximum number of people proposed to be allowed on the premises
- any other required matters
It should be noted that giving a temporary event notice does not relieve the premises user from any requirements under planning law. E.g., a temporary event notice given to allow alcohol, music and dancing to take place at a premises until 1am will not override a planning restriction that prevents the premises from being open after 11pm.
Regulation Summary
The Department for Culture Media and Sport’s website gives a summary explanation of the Licensing Act 2003.
Application Evaluation Process
The local authority will acknowledge receipt of the notice by giving a notice to the premises user before the end of the first working day it was received or before the end of the second working day if the day the notice was received is not a working day.
The premises user must also give notice to South Yorkshire Police at: Sheffield Liquor Licensing Department, South Yorkshire Police Headquarters, Snig Hill, Sheffield, S3 8LY no later than ten working days before the event period.
The chief police officer who receives a notice and believes that the event would undermine crime prevention objectives can serve an objection notice on us and the premises user. This notice must be served within 48 hours of receipt of the temporary event notice.
If an objection notice is served by South Yorkshire Police we will hold a hearing. We may issue a counter notice if we consider it necessary for the promotion of crime prevention objective. A decision must be made at least 24 hours before the beginning of the event.
South Yorkshire Police may modify the TEN with the consent of the premises user. In such a case an objection notice will be deemed to have been withdrawn.
We can issue a counter notice if the limits on TENs have been exceeded.
How we will notify you
If the TEN is within the restrictions detailed above, and South Yorkshire Police have not made an objection to the notice, we must issue acknowledgement of the TEN. South Yorkshire Police do not need to acknowledge the notice as well.
If the TEN exceeds the any of the restrictions detailed above, we will issue a counter notice, copied to South Yorkshire Police, which will prevent the event from taking place.
You will be able to act as though your application has been accepted if you have not heard from us or the South Yorkshire Police by the date of your event.
Making an Application
You can contact us for an application pack, or you may print an application form and other documents from the downloadable documents at the bottom of the page and send them to us through the post or bring them to our reception at the Town Hall.
Payment can be made by cheque (made payable to Sheffield City Council) through the post and cash and cheques are accepted if you bring it to our reception.
For details of our postal address, how to find our reception and reception opening times please contact us.
Appeals
If a counter notice is given in relation to an objection notice the applicant may appeal against the decision. Appeals must be made to the local Magistrates' court within 21 days. An appeal may not be brought later than five working days from the day of the planned event.
If a licensing authority decides not to issue a counter notice in relation to an objection notice South Yorkshire Police can appeal the decision. Appeals must be made to the local Magistrates' court within 21 days. An appeal may not be brought later than five working days from the day of the planned event.
Complaints and Feedback
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the premises user by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).
If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Useful Links
Downloads
Form to complete to give a temporary event notice (313 KB)