About alcohol and entertainments licensing

What activities you need a licence for

If you are carrying out or holding an event with the following activities, you may need one of the licences listed below:

• The sale of alcohol
• Provision of hot food and / or drink between 11pm and 5am
• Boxing or wrestling
• Exhibition of films
• Adult entertainment, such as lap-dancing
• Recorded music
  •  If not in a licensed premises (licensed to sell alcohol, and selling it at the time)
  • Between 11pm and 8am
  • When the audience numbers are over 500 people
• Unamplified live music between 11pm and 8am
• Amplified live music (including karaoke):
  •  If not in a licensed premises (licensed to sell alcohol, and selling it at the time)
  • Between 11pm and 8am
  • When the audience numbers are over 500 people
• Performance of dance between 11pm and 8am or when the audience numbers are over 500 people
• Performance of a play between 11pm and 8am or when the audience numbers are over 500 people
• Indoor sporting events (not boxing and wrestling) between 11pm and 8am or when the audience numbers are over 1000 people

Temporary event notice

You need a temporary event notices (TENs) if you want to hold a temporary licensable activity. You must tell us at least five working days before the event.

Personal licence

You need a personal licence if you are in charge of alcohol sales. Personal licences remain valid, unless surrendered, cancelled or suspended, and are valid throughout England and Wales.

To get a personal licence you must have an accredited qualification and undergo a Criminal Records check.

Premises licence

You need a premises licence for buildings and land, including open-air sites, where any of the licensable activities are going to take place long term or for more than 499 people. If you sell alcohol to the public, you must have a designated premises supervisor named on the licence and this person must have a personal licence.

Club premises certificate

You need a club premises certificate to supply alcohol to members and their guests, provide regulated entertainment in social and other types of clubs, or late-night hot food or drink. It is similar to a premises licence, but you do not need a designated premises supervisor.

Have your say on licensing decisions

A key feature of the Licensing Act 2003 is to allow local communities a say in licensing decisions that may affect them. If you would like to view the current licences for premises in Rushmoor, and the applications open to representations from members of the public, visit our current licences and applications page.

The act allows the views of the public to be taken into account - as well as ensuring that professionals such as the police, fire authorities, trading standards and environmental health officers are able to look into licence applications and take action if problems occur.