Temporary Event Notices (TENs)

Temporary Event Notices (or TENs) can be used to allow licensable activities to be carried out on a one-off or occasional basis.

TENs are the most appropriate type of authorisation for small-scale, one-off events, such as community, school and charity fundraising events, where the intention is to sell or supply alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, or sell hot food/drink between 11pm and 5am.

TENs may also be used by licensed premises to increase the scope of their licence for a one-off event. For example, to allow the hosting of a live music event in a venue not usually permitted live music, or to allow an extra hour for the supply of alcohol on a special occasion.

There are two different types of TEN:

Standard TEN

Must give at least 10 clear working days' notice between submitting the TEN and the first day of the event.

Clear working days do not include the day we received the notice or the day of the event.

Late TEN

Must give between 5 and 9 clear working days' notice between submitting the TEN and the first day of the event.

Clear working days no not include the day we received the notice or the day of the event.

A TEN cannot be given with fewer than 5 clear working days' notice.

Restrictions

TEN restrictions
Applicant	Restrictions
Does not hold a personal licence	Can give a maximum of 5 TENs per year, of which a maximum of 2 can be late TENs
Personal licence holder	Can give a maximum of 50 TENs per year, of which a maximum of 10 can be late TENs

In all cases, the applicant must be over the age of 18.

In a calendar year, no more than 15 TENs, covering a maximum of 21 days, can take place at a premises. A day starts at midnight, so a TEN running from 11pm to 1am would count as 2 days.

TENs can be used for an event lasting a maximum of 168 hours (7 days) from start to finish.

TENs can be used for events where up to 499 people are expected to attend, including staff and performers.

There must be at least 24 hours between the end of one TEN and the start of another.

How to give a TEN

Give notice and pay online

Or you can download the application form to complete:

Temporary Event Notice - docx - 94 Kb

If you use the downloadable form, we will provide you with a link to make payment once submitted.

Frequently asked questions

Do I get a refund if my TEN is refused?

No. The fee is to submit the TEN and not to pay for the period of authorisation. The £21 fee you pay when you serve a TEN is not refundable, even if your TEN is refused.

You must serve a TEN to the local authority for the area in which your event will take place. If you serve a TEN to the wrong local authority, it will be void and non-refundable.

I have used up all my late TENs and forgot to give notice of an upcoming event with more than 9 clear working days' notice. Will the authority accept my TEN?

No. Only 2 late TENs per person (or 10 if you hold a personal licence) per calendar year can be given. Any further late TENs given beyond this limit will be rejected. This limit applies nationwide - if you have given your late TENs to another licensing authority, you will not be able to give any in Cheltenham.

TENs served on any party (licensing, police or environmental health) 5-9 clear working days before the start of the event will be classed as late TENs and will be subject to special provisions. The late TENs rules will apply even if two of the three parties received their copies on time.

An authority has objected to my late TEN. Can the event go ahead?

No. If the police or environmental health officers object to a late TEN, the event will be immediately vetoed. There is no provision for a hearing, nor to appeal against the decision.

I need to give a TEN for an event in fewer than 5 clear working days' time. Will the authority accept my TEN?

No. There is no discretion to accept any TEN which has not been given to all parties at least 5 full working days before the start of the event. This is set out in law.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent applies. This means that you will be able to act as though your TEN has been approved if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period.