How much does a temporary event notice cost?

gov.uk states the fee is £21 for a temporary event notice in England and Wales. It is paid to the council you apply to, and it is separate from any charge your venue or caterer makes.

How much notice do I need to give for a TEN?

At least 10 clear working days before the event for a standard temporary event notice. gov.uk states that clear working days do not include the day the council receives your application or the day of the event. A late TEN can be served up to 5 clear working days before, but not earlier than 9.

Do I need a TEN for a wedding in a marquee?

It depends on the activities, not on the word wedding. gov.uk lists selling alcohol, serving alcohol to members of a private club, providing entertainment such as music or dancing, and serving hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am as licensable activities on unlicensed premises. A free bar and no late hot food may sit outside them; a cash bar and a band do not. gov.uk gives a wedding reception at a community centre as an example of when a TEN is needed.

How many temporary event notices can I get in a year?

gov.uk states you can get up to 5 TENs a year, or up to 50 if you already hold a personal licence to sell alcohol. A single premises can have up to 15 TENs applied for in one year, as long as the total length of the events is not more than 21 days.

Guide

Temporary event notice: when you need one, the fee and the deadlines

Updated 2026-08-14

If you are selling alcohol, putting on music or serving hot food late at a venue that is not licensed, this is the piece of paperwork that decides whether the event happens. It is cheap and it is easy, as long as you are not late.

What needs a temporary event notice

You contact your council for a temporary event notice, usually shortened to TEN, if you want to carry out a licensable activity on unlicensed premises in England or Wales. gov.uk states that licensable activity includes selling alcohol, serving alcohol to members of a private club, providing entertainment such as music, dancing or indoor sporting events, and serving hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am (gov.uk). You also need one where a licensable activity is not covered by an existing licence, and gov.uk gives holding a wedding reception at a community centre as its example.

The limits on your event

Fewer than 500 people: gov.uk states your event must have fewer than 500 people at all times, including the staff running it. Cross that and a TEN is not the right permission.
No more than 168 hours: The event must last no more than 168 hours, which gov.uk gives as 7 days.
You must be 18 or over: gov.uk states you must be at least 18 to apply, and that you can only apply as an individual, not as an organisation.
A 24 hour gap between consecutive events: If you are organising separate but consecutive events, gov.uk states there must be at least a 24 hour gap between them.

The deadlines and the fee

Apply at least 10 clear working days before your event. gov.uk states that clear working days do not include the day your council receives your application or the day of the event, so count carefully and add a margin.
Pay the fee of £21. That is the figure gov.uk states for a temporary event notice.
Send a copy to the police and environmental health at least 10 working days before the event. gov.uk states that if you apply online, the council will contact the police and environmental health for you.
Keep the notice safe at the event and display a copy where it can easily be seen. Both are requirements on gov.uk.

How many you can have

Limits on temporary event notices in England and Wales (gov.uk, 2026)
Limit	Without a personal licence	With a personal licence
TENs per person per year	Up to 5	Up to 50
Late TENs per person per year	Up to 2	Up to 10
TENs per premises per year	Up to 15, total event length not more than 21 days	Up to 15, total event length not more than 21 days

gov.uk notes that late TENs count towards the total number of permitted TENs, so using them is not a way around the annual limit.

Late TENs, objections and appeals

Late TEN deadline. gov.uk states the latest you can apply for a late TEN is 5 clear working days before the event, but not earlier than 9 clear working days.
Objections. The council cannot refuse a notice unless the police or environmental health object, and gov.uk states they must do so within 3 working days of receiving it.
Hearings. If there is an objection, gov.uk states the licensing committee will hold a hearing no later than 24 hours before the event, unless all parties agree a hearing is not needed.
Late TENs and objections. gov.uk states that if the police or environmental health object to a late TEN, the notice will not be valid and you cannot hold the event. That is the practical reason to apply on the standard timetable rather than the late one.
Appeals. gov.uk states you can appeal to your local magistrates' court within 21 days, and at least 5 working days before the date of your event.

The rules above are the gov.uk position for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate licensing systems, so check with the relevant council or licensing board if your event is there. This is a plain summary of published guidance, not legal advice, and your council is the authority on your own application.