The Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 requires that a public entertainment licence (PEL) 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
Please note that the Council’s Licensing Panel at its meeting on 21 November 2024 endorsed a minimum of 28 days for the lodgement of temporary PEL applications. Circus and standalone funfairs still have a 90-day notice period.
In order to meet that timescale, applications must be received fully complete with all supporting documentation available for consideration by the consultees, so as to allow an adequate assessment of the event in terms of public safety. Any applications lodged outwith the 28 day notice period, or lodged without the required documentation, will be returned to the applicant.
Where an application is lodged late due to unforeseen circumstances outwith the control of the applicant, the Chief Governance Officer may reserve the right to accept the late application, although this will be dependent on the application being accurately lodged with all supporting documents available and in date. Late or incomplete applications may result in the event having to be cancelled or postponed.
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.
Licence fees
| Type of licence | Fee |
|---|
| Public entertainment |
£255 |
| Public entertainment - for example, festivals, raves - proposed minimum fee of £4,533 or 1% of gross income |
£4,533 |
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 81Kb)
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 Standards 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.
Guidance on running events safely
The Health and Safety Executive's guidance on running events safely may be of some help to you.