What are the Licensable Activities?

Under theLicensing Act 2003 (opens new window) , which regulates Alcohol and Entertainment, the following are Licensable Activities:

• The sale or supply of alcohol
• Provision ofregulated entertainment (opens new window)
  • A performance of a play (e.g. a pantomime or amateur dramatic production, including a rehearsal)
  • An exhibition of a film
  • An indoor sporting event
  • A boxing or wrestling entertainment
  • A performance of live music (e.g. karaoke, a band or a choir)
  • Any playing of recorded music
  • A dance performance
  • Facilities for making music, dancing and entertainment of a similar description
• Provision of late night refreshment (hot food or drink, consumed on or off the premises, between the hours of 23:00 and 05:00)

The following are examples of entertainment that are exempt from the Licensing Act 2003:

• A film exhibition solely to demonstrate a product, advertise any goods or services, or provide information, education or instruction;
• Any film exhibition at a museum or art gallery;
• Live television or radio broadcasts (please note if the event shown is on SKY television you are required to have a licence from SKY);
• The performance of live or recorded music incidental to some other activity that is not itself a regulated entertainment;
• Entertainment incidental to a religious service or meeting, or at a place of public religious worship;
• Entertainment at a garden fete or similar event for charitable purposes;
• Morris dancing, whether performance or participation;
• Entertainment from carnival floats.

There are also exemptions for the supply of hot food and drink free of charge or from a vending machine or for charitable purposes between the hours of 23:00 and 05:00.