Do I Need a Premises Licence for My Craft Fair?

What is a premises licence?

A premises licence is a long-term licence granted by the local authority under the Licensing Act 2003. It authorises a specific venue to carry out "licensable activities" on an ongoing basis.

Licensable activities include:

• The sale or supply of alcohol.
• The provision of late-night refreshment — selling hot food or hot drinks between 11pm and 5am.
• The provision of regulated entertainment — live or recorded music, dancing, plays, films, and indoor sporting events (with some exemptions — see below).

A premises licence is attached to the venue, not to you as the organiser. It typically runs indefinitely once granted, subject to annual fees and compliance with licence conditions.

The entertainment exemptions

The Live Music Act 2012 and Deregulation Act 2015 introduced significant exemptions that mean most craft fair entertainment does not require a licence.

Live or recorded music does not require a licence if:

• It takes place between 8am and 11pm.
• The audience is fewer than 500 people.
• It takes place on premises that are open to the public or on licensed premises.

This covers the vast majority of craft fair scenarios — background music played through a speaker, a small acoustic act performing at a Christmas market, or a DJ playing at an outdoor summer fair.

Other entertainment exemptions include:

• Performances of dance for an audience of fewer than 500 between 8am and 11pm.
• Indoor sporting events for an audience of fewer than 1,000 between 8am and 11pm.

If your craft fair entertainment falls within these exemptions, you do not need a premises licence or a TEN for the entertainment element.

When a Temporary Event Notice is sufficient

For one-off or occasional events with licensable activities, a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) is usually the right approach. TENs are covered in detail in our separate guide, but the key points are:

• A TEN costs £21 and is a simple notification to the council — not an application for permission.
• It covers events of fewer than 500 people.
• It lasts up to 168 hours (7 days).
• You must give at least 10 working days' notice (or 5 working days for a "late TEN").

Common craft fair scenarios where a TEN is the right choice:

• A mulled wine or prosecco stall at a Christmas craft market.
• A gin-tasting pop-up alongside craft stalls.
• An evening event with a licensed bar.

A TEN is much simpler and cheaper than a premises licence. For most craft fair hosts who want to include alcohol at an occasional event, it is the obvious route.

When you DO need a premises licence

A full premises licence is needed when:

• You run recurring events at the same venue that regularly involve alcohol sales — for example, a monthly market with a bar.
• The event has more than 500 attendees and includes licensable activities.
• The venue operates licensable activities on an ongoing basis (year-round).
• You have exceeded the TEN limits — a personal licence holder can give a maximum of 50 TENs per year, and a venue can have a maximum of 15 TENs per year.

Applying for a premises licence involves:

• A formal application to the local licensing authority.
• A fee based on the rateable value of the premises (typically £100–£1,905 for the initial application).
• Consultation with responsible authorities (police, fire, environmental health, etc.).
• Public notice of the application — the public can make representations.
• The process takes a minimum of 28 days and can take longer if representations are made.

If you are considering a premises licence, speak to your local licensing authority first — they can advise on whether it is necessary for your situation.

Check your venue first

Before assuming you need any licence at all, check what the venue already has:

• Many village halls, community centres, and established event venues already hold a premises licence covering alcohol sales and entertainment. If the venue is already licensed, you may be able to operate under their licence — check what activities it covers and whether any conditions apply to your event.
• Some venues have a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) who must be on site whenever alcohol is sold. If the venue is licensed but you are supplying your own bar, you may need to arrange for the DPS to be present or apply for a TEN.
• The venue's hire agreement should specify what is and is not permitted. Read it carefully before planning licensable activities.

Checking the venue's existing licence can save you time, money, and paperwork.