New Regulations amending Temporary Event Notice forms to come into force

The Licensing Act 2003 (Permitted Temporary Activities) (Notices) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 is due to come into force on 1 October 2014.

The Regulations amend the prescribed form of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) such that the premises user is required to provide information about any intended use of the premises for the provision of ‘relevant entertainment’ defined in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as ‘any live performances or live display of nudity seeking to sexually stimulate the audience‘.

‘Relevant entertainment’ therefore includes, but is not limited to, lap dancing and pole dancing. Certain types of burlesque may also fall under this band.

The 1982 Act requires that premises which provide relevant entertainment to a live audience for gain must be licensed under that Act and hold a Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) licence.Premises currently are allowed to have up to 11 events per year as described by the provision of ‘relevant entertainment’ without the need to obtain an SEV licence (as long as the premises is licensed under The Licensing Act 2003 to permit regulated entertainment (including the ‘relevant entertainment’) through its premises licence or by applying for a TEN for the event).

The measures put in place by these Regulations seek to close any loop hole there may be in respect of ‘relevant entertainment’ and the use of a TEN. The change will inform licensing authorities when ‘relevant entertainment’ is being offered by operators at their premises.

The Regulations can be found here