You ’ ll need to apply for a separate TEN licence for each event your PTA holds . If you ’ re planning an event with more than 500 people , ask for advice from the licensing officer at your local council . You may need a premises licence for a larger event or to hold it at a venue that already has a premises licence .

How do we get a TEN ?

You can get a TEN licence through your local council . Anyone over 18 can apply for up to five per year . If your PTA is holding more than five licensed events in the year , committee members can take turns to apply , but the licence holder must attend the event .

Once you ’ ve filled in the form , supply one copy ( with a payment of £ 21 ) to your local council and another copy to your local police department . Both must be received at least ten clear working days

before the event . We recommend applying as soon as you know when you ’ ll need one as they can take a while to come through .

What about Northern Ireland and Scotland ?

The licensing system in Northern Ireland is not integrated , so rather than applying for one TEN licence to cover alcohol , entertainment and evening refreshments , you ’ ll need to apply for separate licences .

Alcohol must be served in a licensed premises , but a licence holder for a pub , hotel or restaurant can apply for an occasional licence that authorises the sale of alcohol in unlicensed premises ( but the sale of alcohol cannot be the only purpose of the event ).

You ’ ll need an entertainment licence to organise indoor events , although some outdoor events and events for

your school may be exempt . Always check with your local council .

In Scotland , an Occasional Licence allows alcohol to be sold on an unlicensed premises for 14 days . It costs £ 10 and some local authorities need seven to eight weeks ’ notice . You can apply for 12 Occasional Licenses a year if the event is less than four days , and four Occasional Licenses a year if the event is more than four days .

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