A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) lets you carry out licensable activities - selling alcohol, providing regulated entertainment, or serving hot food and drink between 11pm and 5am - at a temporary event without needing a premises licence.
TENs are designed for small, short-duration events. Unlike a premises licence application, a TEN is a notification rather than an application - you are telling the licensing authority what you plan to do, and it will go ahead unless the police or environmental health formally object.
When you can use a TEN
You can use a TEN for events such as:
- A charity fundraiser with a bar
- A wedding reception at an unlicensed venue
- A food festival selling alcohol
- A pop-up event with live music or late-night food
- A village fete with a beer tent
However, if your event will have 500 or more people at any time, including staff, or will last longer than 7 days, you cannot use a TEN. You will need a premises licence instead.
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Check your eligibility and limits
Before giving a TEN, check that you have not exceeded your personal limits (50 per year if you hold a personal licence, 5 if you do not) and that the premises has not exceeded its limits (15 TENs and 21 days per calendar year). These limits apply across all licensing authorities in England and Wales, not just one council area.
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Complete the TEN form
Fill out the prescribed TEN form. You will need to provide details of the event (dates, times, activities), the premises (address and description), the maximum number of people at any one time (up to 499, including staff), and your personal details. If you hold a personal licence, include your licence number.
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Submit the TEN to the licensing authority
Send the completed TEN to the licensing authority for the area where the event will take place, along with the £21 fee. You must submit at least 10 clear working days before the event (for a standard TEN) or 5 to 9 clear working days before (for a late TEN). Many councils accept online submissions.
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Send copies to the police and environmental health
On the same day you submit to the licensing authority, send copies of the TEN to the chief officer of police and the local environmental health authority for the area. Some councils forward copies automatically, but you should check.
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Wait for the objection period
The police and environmental health have 3 working days to object (this applies to both standard and late TENs). They can only object on the grounds that the event would undermine one or more of the four licensing objectives. If no objection is received, the event can go ahead as notified.
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Attend a hearing if an objection is made (standard TEN only)
If an objection is made to a standard TEN, the licensing authority will arrange a hearing before the event. The sub-committee can allow the TEN, impose conditions (only if the premises already has a premises licence), or issue a counter notice preventing the event. For late TENs, any objection results in automatic refusal with no hearing.
Standard TENs vs late TENs
There are two types of TEN:
- A standard TEN is given at least 10 clear working days before the event. If the police or environmental health object, a hearing is held and the event may still go ahead with conditions.
- A late TEN is given 5 to 9 clear working days before the event. Any objection means automatic refusal, with no hearing. Late TENs count towards your overall limit: up to 10 of a personal licence holder's 50, or 2 of a non-licence holder's 5.
Aim to give a standard TEN with as much notice as possible. This gives you the safety net of a hearing if there is an objection.
What counts towards the limits
TENs given by an associate (business partner or spouse/civil partner) count towards your personal limit. A TEN that is withdrawn before the event still counts towards your limits. Counter notices issued by the licensing authority also count.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Browse UK legislation (opens in a new tab) legislation.gov.uk