Public entertainment licence

24 August 2023

The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 requires that a public entertainment licence is necessary for a place of public entertainment.

Changes in legislation introduced on 1 April 2012 deleted the provision of payment of money or money’s worth and consequently an event may need to be covered by a public entertainment licence whether or not the public are required to pay an admission fee or pay to use any of the facilities provided.

Activities that require a licence

Please note that the following places or classes of activity currently require a public entertainment licence:

open air concerts
firework and bonfire displays
fairgrounds
circuses
gala days/fetes/community fun days with marquees or inflatables such as bouncy castles for public use
premises used for leisure activities with audience accommodation
premises used for dancing, discotheques and roller discos
ice rinks with audience accommodation
activities where a public audience may be present (for example boxing, wrestling, judo presentations)
snooker/billiard halls
public concerts, other than theatrical performances
radio or TV stations with audience accommodation
premises in which machines for entertainment or amusement area are being provided (subject to Section 41(2)(g) of the 1982 Act)
agricultural, equestrian and livestock shows/events

Applications for funfairs and circuses must be lodged 90 days prior to the first date of the event.

In the event that you are proposing a beer tent, a separate occasional licence application should be lodged.

Documentation in support of licence application

In support of your application, you must provide the undernoted documentation, however, further information may be required as part of the application consultation process.

a site layout plan, clearly defining the area to be licensed by the public entertainment licence
the layout plan should also clearly show all stalls/tents/enclosures where the public will have access, using a key to denote the location of each attraction
parking provision
toilet provision (number of male/female)
provision of facilities for people with special needs
risk assessment of the whole event
management statement covering the whole event, based in accordance with event safety guide and listing those responsible in the event of an emergency
public liability insurance certificate covering the event
any fairground attractions/rides/air structures will require ADIPS or PIPA certification, as appropriate (declaration of operational compliance and report on electrical thorough examination), together with public liability insurance and risk assessment document for each
manufacturers' certification regarding flame resistance of tents/marquees/trade stands where the public will have access, together with dimensions of structure and location and dimensions of exits – an indication of the inside layout of the structure will also assist in the calculation of the occupant capacity
list of caterers at the event such as snack bars, ice cream vans (name, address and local authority where registered)

Display a notice of your application

Please note that to coincide with your application being lodged, you are required to display a site notice at or near the premises for a period of 21 days so that it can easily be read by members of the public. Following this, the certificate of compliance should be completed and returned to us within seven days.

The time limit for lodgement of objections is 28 days from the date of application.

Although there is no statutory basis for display of a site notice in respect of an application for a temporary licence, it is considered to be good practice to do so, should time permit.

Apply for a licence or renewal

Online via our GLAMIS system

You can also download and print the application form below:

Public entertainment licence application (PDF 38Kb)

Licence conditions

Public entertainment licence conditions (PDF 92Kb)

Public entertainment fairground documents

Raised structures

If your proposed event involves a raised structure, you should contact our Building Standard Service for information and guidance.

The fee for obtaining permission to erect and use a raised structure is dependent upon the size and complexity of the proposed structure (for example, small means less than 500 persons, medium 501-999 persons and large 1000+ persons).

Early consultation with Building Standards is vital with a minimum 14 day lead-in required for minor applications and considerably more time required to process an application for a large or complex raised structure.