Licensing
Public Entertainment
There have been major changes to the licensing of public entertainment that came into force on 24 November 2005.
The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 has now been replaced by The Licensing Act 2003.
Various regulated activities are now covered by the provision of regulated entertainment includes:
- A performance of a play
- An exhibition of a film
- An indoor sporting event
- A boxing or wrestling entertainment (indoor and outdoor)
- A performance of live music
- Any playing of recorded music
- A performance of dance
- Entertainment of a similar description to that falling within the performance of live music, the playing of recorded music and the performance of dance
If you are providing activities which fall into any of the categories above, then you may need a Premises Licence or a Temporary Events Notice.
Other regulated activities covered by this Act are:
The sale by retail of alcohol|
A premises that wishes to sell alcohol requires a premises licence along with someone with a personal licence.
A premises that wishes to supply requires a premises licence along with someone with a personal licence.
The provision of late night refreshment|
If you want to sell hot food and drink after 11pm and before 5am, you must be licensed under the new Licensing Act 2003.
Temporary Event Notices can be used to authorise relatively small scale ad hoc events, held in or on any premises involving no more than 499 people at any one time.
All premises are inspected by the Licensing Authority, Fire Service, Police, Health and Safety and a Environmental Health Officer.
Useful web links
Apply for a licence or register a particular activity.
Policies govern all licence and registration applications.
Licensing and Regulatory Board|
The Board hear licensing applications under the Licensing Act 2003 when valid representations have been received. They also hear licence review applications for premises licences and club premises certificates.
We have to keep a Public Register that holds information on licences and certificates for some of the types we issue.
You can apply and pay for licence applications by telephone, online, or by post.
Licensing Act 2003 Fees 
PDF 16K
This gives full details of the government set fees.
Regulations for Premises Licences and Club Premises Certificate 2005 PDF 135K
These are the regulations that have been laid down by government.
Places of Entertainment - Technical Regulations|
This gives guidance on technical regulations.
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