Licenses and permissions

There are a number of rules and regulations regarding licenses and permissions that your event may have to comply with. It is best to inform your local authority and check for any legal permission you may have to consider.

Find your local authority contact details

Licensing entertainment
You may need a public entertainment licence for events such as sporting events, plays, films or dances. Your local authority can advise you on this.

Check your legal position

Statutory notice periods to your local authorities depend on the size of your event. A general guide is:

• Small sized events (village hall quiz, auction, book sale): 28 days
• Medium sized events (carnivals, etc): 28 days
• Large sized events (over 5000 in attendance, involving road closures, entertainment licences): six to nine months

Licensing alcohol
An alcohol licence will be needed for any event providing or selling alcohol, so you need to check your venue has a permanent licence. If not, occasional permission can be obtained through the licensing justices at the local magistrate's court. If the event is on charity premises, the Charity Commission guidelines in booklet CC27 'Providing Alcohol on Charity Premises' needs to be complied with.

Advice on alcohol and drugs use.