Village Halls - Licensing Act 2003 - Private Events

One local authority in Derbyshire has been advising halls that ‘there is no such thing as a private event’ and a Premises Licence or a Temporary Event Notice is needed for private parties and events. This is not the case!

Confusion can arise in two areas:

1. Provision of facilities: e.g. when a hall is hired out for a private party, whether by an individual (e.g. a wedding reception) or by a group (e.g. W.I. Christmas Party). DCMS has confirmed that merely hiring out the hall does not constitute the provision of entertainment facilities. Even if the hosts hire an entertainer (e.g. a singer at a wedding or a clown for children’s party), so long as the event is private then no licence is required. If however the entertainment is provided by the Village Hall Management Committee for a fee e.g. by a committee member who sings or is a clown, then a Premises Licence or TEN is required because they are then ‘providing entertainment facilities’.
   
2. Where alcohol is given by the host, not sold, e.g. at a private wedding party. In this case neither a Premises Licence nor a Temporary Event Notice is required. The Act is covers the sale of alcohol and states in Clause 14 on page 9:

   “A sale constitutes the supply of alcohol by
   (a) the sale by retail of alcohol
   (b) the supply of alcohol by or on behalf of a club to, or to the order of, a member of the club”
   You can quote this definition to the Licensing Officers if you meet this problem.

   If the private party has a bar where alcohol is sold, then the hall must have a full Premises Licence including sale of alcohol or a TEN must be given.

If you receive advice which you feel may be incorrect please let Helena Stubbs know on 01629 821925 and she will discuss it with the relevant Licensing Officer.

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