Temporary Event Notices

Make your application

You will need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to: 

•  hold an event that needs a licence on an unlicensed premises      
• operate outside the terms of your existing premises licence

This includes:

• selling or supplying alcohol
• regulated entertainment, including music, singing and dancing
• providing hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am

You need a Temporary Event Notice if you are providing one or any combination of these.

For more information about events which will need a Temporary Event Notice, you can download our detailed guidance.

You can apply for a Temporary Event Notice if:

• there have not been more than 15 events at the premises during any given calendar year (1 January to 31 December)
• the events you are holding in a calendar year do not exceed 21 days
• your event will not last longer than one week
• you have not held another event 24 hours before
• you are not holding another event 24 hours after
• your event has a maximum capacity of 499 people at any one time. For example, 1000 people can attend over the course of the event, but only 499 at the same time

If you have a personal licence, you can apply for up to 50 Temporary Event Notices during any given calendar year. Up to ten of these notices can be late Temporary Event Notices.

If you do not have a personal licence, you can apply for up to five Temporary Event Notices during any given calendar year. Up to two of these notices can be late Temporary Event Notices.

To apply for a Temporary Event Notice, you will need to:

• download the application form on GOV.UK
• upload your completed application form on GOV.UK
• submit your application at least ten working days before the start of your event
• pay the £21 fee
  

You can also download and print the application form from GOV.UK. If you decide to download and print your application, you will need to:

• return it to us by post or in person

• send a copy of it to Essex Police

If you upload your completed application form on GOV.UK, we will send your application to Essex Police.

If you apply for a late Temporary Event Notice, you will need to submit your application:

• no later than five working days before the start of your event
• no earlier than nine working days before the start of your event

Once we receive your application, we will:

• acknowledge it within three working days
• return the notice to you
• contact the relevant consultees, including Essex Police, to confirm they have received your application

Refusing your notice

We can only refuse your notice if the police or Environmental Health object to it because they think your event could:

• lead to crime and disorder

• cause a public nuisance

• be a threat to public safety

• put children at risk of harm

The police and Environmental Health must make their objections within three working days of receiving your application.

If there is an objection, our Licensing Committee will hold a hearing, where they will either approve, add conditions or reject your notice. You can appeal their decision at the magistrates' court within 21 days of them making it, and at least five working days before your event.

If the police of Environmental Health object to a late Temporary Event Notice, you will not be able to hold the event.

If we do refuse your notice, we will serve a formal counter notice. We will not refund your fee.

Fines and penalties

You will face prosecution (resulting in a fine or prison sentence) if you:

• carry out an activity that needs a licence without a Temporary Event Notice
• allow an event that needs a licence to take place on your premises without a Temporary Event Notice
• make any false statements in your application

If we decline your notice for any reason, we will serve a formal counter notice.