If you run a pub, bar, restaurant, or are planning a one-off event, understanding temporary event notices (TENs) is essential. This guide explains who they’re for, when you need a TEN, and how to stay compliant under the Licensing Act.

What are Temporary Event Notices?

Temporary event notices allow you to carry out licensable activities at a particular premises without a full premises licence. This includes the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment such as recorded music or indoor sporting events, and late night refreshment (serving hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am).

A temporary event notice (TEN) is ideal for:

• Unlicensed premises hosting a one-off event
• Extending hours at licensed premises
• Events like a wedding reception or private function

Each temporary event can last up to 168 hours with a maximum number of 499 attendees.

Who Can Apply for Event Notices?

The applicant (known as the premises user) must be 18 or over. You do not need to hold a personal licence, but this affects how many event notices you can submit:

• Non licence holders: up to five TENs per calendar year
• Each personal licence holder: up to 50 TENs per year

A single premises can have a total of 15 TENs per year, regardless of the same person applying.

How Many TENs and Timing Rules

Understanding how many TENs you can use—and when—is critical:

• Standard TEN: submit at least 10 working days before the event
• Late temporary event notices (late TEN): 5–9 working days notice

Limits on late temporary event applications:

• Non licence holders: 2 late TENs per year
• Personal licence holders: 10 late TENs (these count towards totals)

You must allow at least 24 hours between consecutive events, even if they are separate but consecutive events at the same premises.

Objections and Environmental Health

Your local authority will notify police or environmental health (the responsible authorities) when you apply online.

They can issue an objection notice if your event risks undermining the four licensing objectives:

• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• Crime and disorder
• Protection of children from harm

If police and environmental health object:

• A standard TEN can go to a licensing sub committee
• A late TEN will be refused automatically (no appeal)

You may receive a counter notice preventing the event.

Key Compliance Points

• Cost: £21 per temporary event notice TEN
• TEN must be prominently displayed or available during the event
• Applies to licensed premises, community premises, and private clubs
• Cannot replace other legal requirements (planning, health & safety)
• Applies to activity on unlicensed premises or extending an existing licence

Why TENs Matter for Hospitality Businesse

For pubs and operators—especially those expanding trading hours or trialling new events—TENs provide a flexible, low-cost route to generate additional revenue without changing your existing premises licence.

Handled incorrectly, however, they can trigger objections from environmental health officers or enforcement action. That’s where having the right advice matters.

Need a TEN or Further Information?

If you’re unsure whether you need a TEN, how to structure consecutive events, or how this impacts your compliance and profitability, HLWA can help. Our hospitality specialists ensure your events remain both commercially viable and fully compliant.