Entertainment licensing

• Do I need a licence for entertainment?
• Apply for a licence for entertainment to take place

Do I need a licence for entertainment?

The Licensing Unit of Adur & Worthing Councils' Public Health & Regulation Section is responsible for the licensing of a number of regulated entertainments under the Licensing Act 2003.

The following entertainments when staged in front of an audience need licensing either with a premises licence, club premises certificate or a temporary event notice. These include:

• performance of live music
• playing of recorded music
• performance of a play
• exhibition of a film
• indoor sporting event
• boxing or wrestling entertainment
• performance of dance
• or anything of a similar description

The types of venue that hold premises licences authorising such entertainment include:

• pubs and clubs
• restaurants and hotels
• cinemas and theatres
• schools
• community centres and youth clubs
• parks and gardens
• selected streets and pedestrianised areas

See:

• Apply for a licence for entertainment to take place (below)

Previously licensable entertainment that has been deregulated by the Live Music Act 2012 and Licensing Act 2003 (Descriptions of Entertainment) (Amendment) Order 2013

As a result of deregulatory changes that have amended the 2003 Act, no licence is required for a number of activities. For details see:

• Deregulation of regulated entertainments

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Apply for a licence for entertainment to take place

If the entertainment is to be regularly provided at a commercial premise then you will require a premises licence.

If the entertainment is to be regularly provided at a private members' club, then you will require a club premises certificate.

If the entertainment is occasional in an unlicensed premise then you will require a temporary event notice.

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