Temporary Event Notices
Persons wishing to hold an event that includes a licensable activity but the premise where they wish to hold this event does not already have a licence (for that particular licensable activity) must notify the council.
The following are licensable activities:
- The sale of alcohol
- Music, live (or recorded under some circumstances)
- Dancing
- Food served after 23:00 hours
- Plays
- Indoor sporting events
- Films
A fuller explanation is given in the application form, or please contact us to discuss your particular situation.
Exemptions
There is a statutory exemption for regulated entertainment at garden fetes and similar events such as bazaars which are not held for private gain.
There is also a statutory exemption, in certain circumstances, from the requirement to hold a license for the provision of alcohol if given away as a prize in a raffle or tombola, in sealed containers. This supply of alcohol cannot be simply by the purchasing of a ticket, as there must be some form of lottery (for example: where alcohol isn’t the only prize).
Here private gain is given its every day meaning in that an individual or organisation could benefit.
Conditions for Application for a Temporary Event
- The event will not exceed 499 people in attendance.
- Applicant must be over 18 years old.
- Two copies of the notice have to be served on the Council, with an additional copy served on Police at the same time. These must be served at least 10 working days prior to the event.
- The notice to the Licensing Authority has to be accompanied by the fee, which is £21. Cheques are to be made payable to Kingston Corporation. Unlike the previous permissions, granted by the Magistrates Court, this is one event per application. Although an event could last for 96 hours, not necessarily continuously, it cannot last for more than four days.
- A person who does not possess a personal licence, or person representing an organisation, is only permitted five events per year.
- A person who holds a personal licence is permitted up to 50 temporary events per year.
- A premise is only permitted 12 occasional events per year totalling 15 days useage.
The process of the notification
The notification in duplicate with the fee has to be served on the Council at least 10 working days prior to the event. At the same time a copy has to be served on the Police. (Please make a note of the time, place and date of posting to the authorities.)
The Council will endorse one copy and return it within 24 hours. This is the permission that must be at the event for inspection by an authorised officer if required.
If the numbers of notices permitted are exceeded, the Council will issue a counter notice preventing the event proceeding.
Contact details
Licensing Section
Environmental Health
The Guildhall
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU
Police:
Licensing Officer
Metropolitan Police
Kingston Police Station
High Street
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1LB
Police Objection
Where an objection notice is served, the Police may negotiate to modify the application and withdraw this notice. Should this occur the Police will serve the applicant and Council with the modified and authorised application form. This would then supersede the one returned by the Council.
If the Police are unable to resolve their objection then the Council is required to hold a hearing within the next seven working days, but no later than 24 hours prior to the event to either grant or refuse the notice and issue a counter notice.
Where the Council has refused the ‘application’ the applicant has the right to appeal to the Magistrates Court.