How to Apply for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) in England and Wales

By UK Event Managers • Event Licensing • 8 min read

If you’re planning to sell alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, or serve hot food and drinks late at night at an event, you’ll almost certainly need a Temporary Event Notice — commonly called a TEN. Miss the deadline or get the application wrong and your event could be shut down before it begins.

This guide covers everything UK event organisers need to know about TENs: what they cover, who needs one, how to apply, and the deadlines you absolutely cannot afford to miss.

What Is a Temporary Event Notice?

A Temporary Event Notice is a legal authorisation under the Licensing Act 2003 that allows certain licensable activities to take place at a premises that doesn’t already hold a premises licence — or at a licensed premises but outside the scope of its existing licence.

Licensable activities covered by a TEN include:

• The retail sale of alcohol
• The supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to club members
• The provision of regulated entertainment (live music, recorded music, theatre, film screenings, indoor sports, boxing or wrestling, dancing)
• The provision of late night refreshment (hot food or drink served between 11pm and 5am)

Who Can Apply for a TEN?

Any individual aged 18 or over can apply for a TEN — you do not need to be a licensed premises holder. However, there are strict limits on how many TENs a single person can apply for per calendar year:

• Personal licence holders: up to 50 TENs per year
• Non-personal licence holders: up to 5 TENs per year

Each TEN can cover a maximum of 499 people at any one time and a maximum event duration of 168 hours (7 days).

How Long Before the Event Do You Need to Apply?

This is where many organisers come unstuck. There are two types of TEN with different deadlines:

Standard TEN

Must be submitted to the relevant licensing authority at least 10 working days before the event. This gives the police and Environmental Health the opportunity to object if they have concerns.

Late TEN

Can be submitted between 5 and 9 working days before the event. Late TENs carry a higher risk — if the police or Environmental Health object, the TEN is automatically rejected with no right of appeal. They should only be used as a last resort.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for a TEN

Step 1: Identify the correct licensing authority

TENs are issued by the local licensing authority for the area where the event will take place — typically the district or borough council. For events in national parks or other special areas, check who holds the licensing function.

Step 2: Complete the TEN form

Download or access the Temporary Event Notice form from your local council’s website. You’ll need to provide:

• Your full name, address and date of birth
• The address of the premises where the event will take place
• The dates and times of the licensable activities
• A description of the licensable activities (e.g. “retail sale of alcohol”, “regulated entertainment — live music”)
• The maximum number of people you expect to be present at any one time
• Whether you hold a personal licence and, if so, the authority that issued it

Step 3: Submit the TEN

Submit the completed form to the licensing authority and simultaneously send a copy to the local police licensing officer. Many councils now accept online submissions; others still require paper. Check with your local authority.

Step 4: Pay the fee

The fee for a TEN is currently £21 (set nationally). This can usually be paid online or by cheque depending on the council.

Step 5: Await acknowledgement and any objections

The licensing authority must acknowledge receipt. If the police or Environmental Health raise an objection within the relevant period, a hearing will be arranged. Most straightforward TEN applications go through without any issues.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a TEN?

Operating without a TEN when one is required is a criminal offence under the Licensing Act 2003. You could face:

• An unlimited fine
• Up to 6 months’ imprisonment
• The immediate closure of your event
• Seizure of alcohol or equipment

It’s simply not worth the risk. If you’re unsure whether you need a TEN, always seek advice from your local licensing authority or a qualified event manager before the event.

When a TEN Isn’t Enough

If your event is expecting more than 499 people, or will run for more than 7 days, a TEN won’t cover you. You’ll need to apply for a Premises Licence instead — a more complex and lengthier process that typically takes several months. Large-scale festivals and recurring events almost always require a premises licence rather than a TEN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a TEN for a private party in a hired venue?

If the venue already holds a premises licence that covers the activities you’re planning (alcohol, entertainment etc.), you generally won’t need a TEN — the venue’s licence covers it. However, if the activities fall outside the licence conditions, or the venue doesn’t have a licence, you’ll need a TEN. Always check the venue’s licence before assuming you’re covered.

Can I apply for a TEN online?

Many local licensing authorities now accept TEN applications online via their council websites. Some still require paper applications. Check directly with the licensing authority for the area where your event will take place. The Gov.uk website also provides the official TEN application form.

What happens if my TEN application is objected to?

For a standard TEN (submitted 10+ working days before the event), if the police or Environmental Health object, a hearing is arranged. You can present your case. For a late TEN (5-9 working days), any objection results in automatic rejection with no hearing and no right of appeal — another reason to always use a standard TEN.

Can two TENs be used to cover a longer event?

In theory, yes — multiple TENs can cover consecutive periods at the same premises. However, there are restrictions on how many TENs a premises can have per year (up to 15 standard TENs and 4 late TENs, with a maximum 21 days total). The periods cannot overlap, and the licensing authority will scrutinise multiple applications for the same premises carefully.

Is the TEN fee refundable if my event is cancelled?

No. The £21 TEN fee is non-refundable once submitted. If you need to cancel your event after submitting a TEN, you should notify the licensing authority as a courtesy, but there is no provision for a refund under the Licensing Act 2003.