HomeEntertainment licensing
We're responsible for entertainment licensing in Belfast, under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985.
This means that we licence and inspect places of entertainment in Belfast to make sure they maintain high standards of management and have suitable arrangements in place for managing fires and other safety risks.
We also make sure that premises are suitable for their intended use and have appropriate levels of insurance, access to emergency services and adequate sanitary and hygiene facilities. This also applies to outdoor events
In licensing entertainment venues, our officers also try to minimise misconduct, litter and disturbance. We have brought elements of Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and the Pollution Control and Local Government (NI) Order 1978 in to Rules of Management” for entertainment venues to ensure they take responsibility for how their actions impact on the local environment.
Here we outline some important pieces of environmental legislation that all businesses should know about.
Fly-posting
Fly-posting (or unauthorised advertising) is illegal. This includes posters or paint which is drawn or sprayed onto roads or street furniture.In the past, many entertainment venues used this method to illegally advertise.
If we catch anyone fly-posting, we will
- issue an on-the-spot £80 fine, and
- serve the business with a two day notice, requesting them to remove the posters or paint.
We can also prosecute the business for breaches of their entertainment licence. If this happens they can be fined and could even lose their licence.
Leafleting
In the coming months we intend to create leaflet distribution control areas. This means that if you want to distribute any printed materials you must apply to us for a permit to do so. After the order comes into force, anyone we find distributing material without a permit could be fined up to £2,500.In the interim, if we find any business creating litter through printed materials we may consider the impact of this seriously when deciding if their entertainment licence should be renewed.
Littering
Under the Clean Neighbourhoods Act (NI) 2011 we now have powers to make sure businesses do not litter their local environment. This means businesses must have measures in place to manage litter such as cigarette litter, packaging or leaflets which build up around their business.If we do find a business causing litter we can issue it with a street litter control notice ordering them to clean the area. If a business does not comply with the notice we can fine them £110.
Broadcasting
Under the Pollution Control and Local Government (NI) Order 1978 any venue broadcasting in the street is committing an offence. They may also be in breach of the terms and conditions of their entertainment licence and we may prosecute them. Any business caught broadcasting in the street could face a fine of upto £5,000 or a penalty on their licence.Entertainment venues must also be careful to comply with The Noise Act 1996 by ensuring that the noise from their premises does not excessive or unreasonable.
More information on noise from bars, pubs or clubs.
Guidance notes for entertainment licensing applications
Anyone applying for an entertainment licence under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 must comply with the requirements of the council. Due to the complicated nature of the process, we recommend you read the information below before completing your application. They also contain information about entertainment licensing fees
- Apply for an entertainment licence
- Who needs an entertainment licence?
- What types of licence are available?
- What documents are needed to apply?
- How are applications processed?
- What happens when a licence is approved?
- How much do entertainment licences cost?
- I'm planning a large outdoor event. What advice is available?
- Contact details
Apply for an entertainment licence
You can use our online payment system to apply for indoor and outdoor entertainment licences.At present, you cannot use this system to renew or transfer an existing licence, or apply for a variation to your existing licence.
We recommend using Internet Explorer for the system.
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Apply for an indoor entertainment licence |
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Apply for an outdoor entertainment licence |
We recommend using Internet Explorer 8 or above to complete this form.
Before you apply, please read the terms and conditions for online services as well as our privacy statement for online services
We accept the following credit or debit cards:
- Mastercard
- Maestro (sorry, but we cannot accept International Maestro cards at present)
- Visa
- Visa Delta
- Visa Electron.
You can also apply for an entertainment licence by downloading the application form below and returning it by post, along with the relevant documents and fees, to:
Head of Building Control Service
Health and Environmental Services Department
5th Floor
9 Lanyon Place
Belfast
BT1 3LP
You can also use this form to renew or transfer an existing licence, or to apply for a variation to your existing licence.
- Download application for entertainment licence (PDF - 270KB)
Who needs an entertainment licence?
Anyone who currently provides, or wants to provide, entertainment at a venue within the Belfast City Council electoral area must have a valid entertainment licence from us.This applies to private functions and any events admitting members of the public where a charge is being made. Exemptions can be made for religious occasions and, in certain circumstances, schools.
If you aren't sure whether you need a licence, email buildingcontrol@belfastcity.gov.uk or call our licensing team on +44 28 9027 0650. Our opening hours are Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm, and Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
You should also contact us if you're thinking about staging an event that you think may require an entertainment licence, or are holding an event and unsure of the safety measures needed. Please note you must be 18 or older to apply for a licence.
If you want to renew or transfer an existing licence, you must also apply to us. If there are any changes to your premises or to the type of entertainment provided, you must also apply to us for a variation to your existing licence.
What types of licence are available?
The type of licence issued depends on the entertainment provided. Although we issue licences for both indoor and outdoor events, their conditions vary depending on the frequency of the entertainment and the nature of the premises where it will take place.If you want to apply for both, you must make separate applications and supply the accompanying information for both types of licence.
Use the tables below to check the type of licence you need:
| Type of entertainment | Licence needed |
|---|---|
| Theatrical performances Dancing Singing Music or other similar entertainment Circuses Public contests, matches, exhibitions or displays of boxing, wrestling, judo and karate (or other similar sport), billiards, pool, snooker or darts (or other similar game) |
Indoor licence |
| Any public musical entertainment held entirely or mainly in the open air on private land (regardless of any charge) | Outdoor licence |
Garden fetes or bazaars |
No licence needed |
| Date and frequency | Licence needed | Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Monday to Saturday or Monday to Sunday |
Annual licence | Six-day annual application which allows entertainment to take place from Monday to Saturday for a 12-month period Seven-day annual application which allows entertainment to take place from Monday to Sunday for a 12-month period |
| Infrequent | Occasional licence | 14-day occasional licence where the days of use are not specified 14-day occasional licence where the days of use are specified and allow entertainment to take place on 14 individual days within a 12-month period |
If you are granted a 14-day unspecified occasional licence, you must notify us at least 14 days before each event is due to take place.
| Event | Licence needed |
|---|---|
Premises already open |
Grant |
| Premises currently being constructed, extended or altered | Provisional grant |
What documents are needed to apply?
Once you know the type of licence you need, you can apply online using our online payment system or fill in an application form and return it by post.As part of the application process, you must supply us with a range of documents relating to your premises. If you're applying for a renewal, transfer or variation of an existing licence, you must also supply the certificates listed below.
As the applicant, it's your responsibility to submit all certificates needed by the council. Please note that we only accept original certificates - faxes or photocopies are not sufficient. Certificates will be copied and the originals returned to you, if requested.
You must also submit three copies of the floor plan of your premises (at a scale of 1:100). You must also do this if you're applying for a variation of your existing licence and have altered the layout of your premises, added another area to be licensed or intend to do so.
Hard copies can be sent by post to:
Head of Building Control Service
Health and Environmental Services Department
5th Floor
9 Lanyon Place
Belfast
BT1 3LP
If you're employing approved persons to provide any of the documents for you, please refer them to these notes to clarify the type and duration of certificates you need.
- Download full information about the documents required for entertainment licensing (Word - 53KB)
| Type of document | Duration |
|---|---|
| Public liability insurance declaration | One year |
| Entertainment licence advertisements | One year |
| Fire extinguisher certificate | One year |
| Emergency lighting certificate | One year |
| Fire alarm certificate | One year |
| Electrical certificate | Maximum of three years |
| Heating certificate | Two years |
| Ventilation certificate | Two years |
| Ceiling certificate | Four years |
| Structural floor certificate | Indefinite - this will then only be needed if your premises are altered or extended |
How are applications processed?
Timescales
Please allow a minimum of 28 days from the date of receipt for us to process your application.This is because we consult with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service when considering entertainment licensing applications and take any observations they make into account. We also give other interested parties the chance to express their views before we make our final decision.
During this time, the licensing surveyor will inspect your premises. Please note however that we can't progress your application or carry out an inspection until we receive three copies of the floor plans of your premises (see above).
Entertainment licence advertisements
Within seven days of submitting your application, you must also place legal notice of it in two local newspapers. These are not required for applications for a 14-day occasional licence made by schools, church halls, voluntary organisations or charities.More information about placing advertisements is available from the document below.
- Download full information about the documents required for entertainment licensing (Word - 53KB)
Repairs and maintenance
As part of the application process, we may ask for remedial work to be undertaken at your premises, if we feel it's necessary to bring the building up to a suitable standard before a licence can be issued.- Download full information about the type of work that may be required for entertainment licensing (Word - 44KB)
Objections
If we receive objections to an application which are not resolved through mediation, it will be referred to the council’s Licensing Committee for further consideration. If this happens, both you and those who object to your application will have the chance to present your case to the committee.Appeals
If an application is refused or where terms, conditions or restrictions are imposed or where a licence is revoked, applicants have the right to appeal our decision. Appeals must be lodged within 21 days of you being informed of the decision to the County Court. Their decision is final.What happens when a licence is approved?
Tacit approval does not apply to entertainment licence applications and you should not consider your licence granted until you receive formal confirmation from us.You should not provide any entertainment at your premises until a decision has been made about your application and a valid entertainment licence issued.
It's a serious offence to breach the terms of an entertainment licence, especially in relation to overcrowding. Doing so can lead to your licence being revoked or suspended, as well as a fine of up to £20,000.
All entertainment licences issued are granted for a period of up to 12 months and are subject to standard conditions such as:
- days and hours of use
- the nature of entertainment which may be provided
- occupancy figures.
When a licence is granted for a premises for the first time, applicants are provided with our Rules of Management for Places of Indoor Entertainment document.
- Download Rules of Management for Places of Indoor Entertainment (PDF - 2.6MB)
If your application is successful, your premises will then be inspected regularly to check you are complying with the conditions of your licence and managing the premises properly. If necessary, our surveyors can take enforcement action to ensure compliance.
How much do entertainment licences cost?
The cost of an entertainment licence depends on the type of licence you apply for. Please note that these fees are non-refundable, even if your application is refused.| Type of licence | Number of people or type of event | Fee (based on the maximum number of patrons) |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor entertainment licence (annual) | Less than 100 | £100 |
| 101 to 200 | £150 | |
| 201 to 300 | £250 | |
| 301 to 500 | £400 | |
| 501 to 1,000 | £750 | |
| More than 1,000 | £1,000 | |
|
Machines or equipment for entertainment or amusement (excluding gaming machines)
Equipment for billiards, pool, snooker or other similar game |
£100* | |
| Circus | £50 | |
| Indoor entertainment licence (14-day occasional) | Less than 100 | £50 |
| 101 to 200 | £75 | |
| 201 to 300 | £125 | |
| 301 to 500 | £200 | |
| 501 to 1,000 | £375 | |
| More than 1,000 | £500 | |
| Schools, church halls, voluntary organisations** or charities wishing to hold an indoor entertainment event | £50 (set fee regardless of the number of patrons) | |
| Outdoor entertainment licence (music) | Less than 500 | £1,000 |
| More than 500 | £2,000 | |
| Outdoor entertainment licence (music) (For voluntary groups and charities) |
Less than 500 | £125 |
| More than 500 | £250 |
* This fee does not apply when the machines or equipment are not the main focus of entertainment and are provided as an addition to the main use of the premises.
** A voluntary organisation is any group which wants to hold an event from which they do not stand to profit.
Variations to the terms, conditions or restrictions of an existing entertainment licence cost £80.
Fees can be paid by cheque or postal or money order (made payable to Belfast City Council), or by credit and debit card using our online payment system
I'm planning a large outdoor event. What advice is available?
If you want to hold a large outdoor event, such as a concert or other musical entertainment, you'll need a licence from us.Licensing events in this way helps to ensure high standards of health and safety management and minimises the impact it may have on local residents.
Once you have been granted an entertainment licence, you must supply us with an event management plan specific to your event at least one month before it's due to take place (for larger events, more time is needed).
Your plan should provide proposals on issues such as site layout, crowd management, stewarding, temporary structures and noise control.
Please note that the finish time for outdoor events is normally 11pm. You must consult us well in advance if you want your event to finish after this time.
- Download guidelines for organising outdoor events (Word - 61KB)
