By law it will be a criminal offence to hold a certain event (categories listed below) for which a public entertainment licence is required without such a licence, without reasonable excuse, liable on summary conviction to a fine or imprisonment or both.
A Public Entertainment Licence is required for the use of premises as a place of public entertainment.
Eligibility Criteria
A “place of public entertainment” means any place where members of the public are admitted or may use any facilities for the purposes of entertainment or recreation.
If you have any queries regarding this please email licensing@argyll-bute.gov.uk or call 01546 604355.
What activities require a public entertainment licence?
Any activity taking place on premises which includes land and which falls into the following categories needs a licence even if there is no charge:
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Concerts
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Theatrical performances
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Fairgrounds
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Circuses
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Leisure centres with audience accommodation
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Dancing, discotheques or roller disco
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Ice rinks with audience accommodation
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Boxing, wrestling, judo or similar
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Snooker or billiard halls
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Amusement arcades
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Video shows
What if an event does not fall within one of these categories?
Events which do not fall within these categories – eg gala days, fetes, art exhibitions, coffee mornings, do not require a public entertainment licence. Also, any private functions e.g birthday parties; weddings; retirement; anniversaries etc.
What fee is charged?
The paragraph below relates to temporary applications only
No fee is charged for events (indoor or outdoor) where the event is organised by a formally constituted voluntary group or a national voluntary organisation with an established base in Argyll and Bute. (the constitution will require to be included with the application).
The normal fee for a three year licence is £617.00 and the fee for a temporary licence, which can last for a period of six weeks or less, is £176.00.
If a temporary application is submitted by a personal licence holder or a premises licence holder, the fee is £176.00.