TEN

Summary

A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) is a licence that covers you for specific activities (depending on what you apply for), for up to 499 people for up to 168 hours. It is possible to get two TEN licences for two separate events near one another, of 499 people each. For example, one TEN for a marquee and another for a big top. There must be at least 24 hours between temporary events organised by the same person.

The 168 hours is any 168 consecutive hours; this DOES legally cover e.g. 4pm Friday to 4pm Friday. Some licensing officers may not be aware of the exact text of the law and need reminding.

If your venue has a premises licence that covers the activities in question, you may not need a TEN. This was the case in Nottingham for BJC 2011, which allowed the team to have a BJC longer than (what was then) the legal maximum length of a TEN. But in general it's unusual for a venue in the right price bracket to have a licence covering (e.g.) amplified sound outdoors.

Until 2012, the maximum length of a TEN was 96 hours, which is why historically BJCs from 2007 to 2012 have nearly all been exactly 96 hours long.

Check you have the most recent information regarding TEN http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/drugs/alcohol/alcohol-licences/temporary-events/