Temporary event notice (TEN)
To hold an ad-hoc event in the Lancaster district, you must give a temporary event notice (TEN) to Lancaster City Council no later than 10 working days BEFORE the event.
Unless you submit an electronic application you must also give a copy of the notice to the police no later than ten working days before the event.
You must be 18 years or older to give a TEN and can give a maximum of five TENs per year. If you are a personal licence holder, you can give a maximum of 50 TENs per year.
Your event must involve no more than 499 people at any one time and last no more than seven days with a minimum of 24 hours between events.
See the GOV.UK website for further information and guidance on applying for a TEN.
Late TENS
There are two types of TENs:
- a standard TEN, which is given no later than 10 working days before the event to which it relates
- a late TEN, which is given not before 9 and not later than 5 working days before the event
Late TENs are intended to be used by premises users who are required for reasons outside their control to, for example, change the venue at short notice. They should be used in exceptional circumstances.
A late TEN given later than five working days before the event will be returned as void and your activities will not be authorised.
If the premises where the event is to be held is in areas covered by two or more local authorities applications must be made to each authority.
Eligibility criteria
An activity that can be licensed must be carried out as detailed in a notice that must be given.
The notice must be in a specific format and must be made by someone over 18 years of age.
The notice 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
- a statement relating to certain matters
- any other required information
The matters referred to above are:
- 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
Regulation summary
A summary of the regulation relating to this licence
Application evaluation process
The standard TEN must be given in writing (including by electronic means) to the local authority at least ten working days before the event. A fee is payable with the notice.
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.
Unless an application has been submitted electronically, the premises user must also give notice to the chief officer of the local police department 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 the licensing authority and the premises user. This notice must be served within 48 hours of receipt of the temporary event notice.
The local licensing authority must hold a hearing if an objection notice is served. They may issue a counter notice if it considers it necessary for the promotion of crime prevention objective. A decision must be made at least 24 hours before the beginning of the event.
A police chief 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.
Counter notices may be provided by the licensing authority if the number of permitted TENs has been exceeded.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.
Invalid/withdrawn notices
Invalid or withdrawn temporary and/or late temporary event notices will not be refunded. Additionally it will count towards permitted totals.
Apply for a Temporary Event Notice
Failed application redress
Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.
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.
Licence holder redress
Please contact your Local Authority in the first instance.
Consumer complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader 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.
Other redress
If a licensing authority decides not to issue a counter notice in relation to an objection notice the chief police officer 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.
Last updated: 03 October 2023