Licensable activities

Under the Licensing Act 2003 (opens new window), which regulates Alcohol and Entertainment, the following are licensable activities:

• the sale or supply of alcohol
• provision of regulated entertainment:
  • a performance of a play (for example 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 (for example 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 11pm and 5am).

The following are examples of entertainment that are exempt from the Licensing Act 2003 (opens new window):

• 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 11pm and 5am.