Temporary Event Notices (TEN)

If you apply by post you must also send copies of your application to:

• Environmental Protection Team, Reading Borough Council, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading RG1 2LU
• Thames Valley Police HQ, Licensing Team, Oxford Road, Kidlington OX5 2NX

The Police and Environmental Protection Team have three working days to object. If there is an objection then there will be a hearing held within seven working days beginning with the first working day after the end of the consultation period.

You must be at least 18 to apply for a TEN.

Licensable activity includes:

• selling alcohol
• serving alcohol to members of a private club
• providing entertainment, such as music, dancing or indoor sporting events
• serving hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am

Your event must:

• have fewer than 500 people at all times – including staff running the event.
• last no more than 168 hours (7 days).

You need a TEN for each event you hold on the same premises.

You can get up to 5 TENs a year. If you already have a personal licence to sell alcohol, you can be given up to 50 TENs a year.

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.

If you’re organising separate but consecutive events, there must be at least a 24 hour gap between them.

You must apply at least 10 clear working days before your event.

Clear working days do not include the day your council receives your application or the day of the event.

If you intend to host an event in a public park or similar space, please contact events@reading.gov.uk with the details of the proposed event, including a plan showing the layout and boundary of the event area.

Information on hosting an event in a Reading Borough Council park or open space.

Late TENs

You can apply for a late TEN but only in exceptional circumstances. If a late TEN is objected to then the event can not go ahead. Gov.uk gives guidance on activities that are deregulated and may not need a licence.

If you do not hold a personal licence, you can serve up to 2 late TENs per year. If you hold a personal licence, the limit is 10. Late TENs count towards the total number of permitted TENs.

Gov.uk offers guidance on TENs.

Please note – The giving of a temporary event notice does not relieve the premises user from any requirements under planning law for appropriate planning permission.

Charges

TEN: £21