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Entertainment licencing

We have a responsibility to licence those premises which regularly provide entertainment to the public, under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. Wherever entertainment is provided we are concerned about what could happen to you in an emergency and try to make sure the building is properly designed to allow you to get out quickly and safely. But our job does not finish there. We regularly visit bars, nightclubs and concert venues to make sure they are being managed responsibly and maintained safely.

What is the purpose of an entertainments licence?

• Protection from an outbreak of fire.

And for indoor entertainment venues, the assessment of:

• the structural strength of the building
• electrical safety, eg portable equipment
• potential noise disturbance
• facilities for disabled people, and
• sanitary accommodation provisions.

We licence a wide range of places:

• church halls
• community centres
• Waterfront Hall
• Odyssey centre, and
• international concert tours held as outdoor events.

When is an entertainment licence needed?

There are generally two main types of licence:

Indoor

• Music, singing and dancing
• theatrical performances
• circuses
• boxing, wrestling, karate matches or exhibitions
• snooker or pool matches or exhibitions
• video machines.

Outdoor

This is an entertainment that takes place in the open air and on private land and is of a musical nature.

Entertainment license fees

Door supervisor registration

People should feel safe when they go to pubs and nightclubs in Belfast. Our door supervisors registration scheme makes sure there are well trained door staff in pubs and nightclubs across the city.

Through this we hope to enhance the image of a much maligned profession and encourage door supervisors to play a vital role in making Belfast a safe and welcoming destination.

Door supervisor registration is now a condition of entertainment licencing.

Petroleum licencing

Under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928, the keeping of more than 3 gallons of petrol which is dispensed by a pump must be authorized by a licence and must comply with any conditions attached with the licence. It`s our responsibility to make sure that all filling stations and private storage sites are licenced and that the petrol is stored and dispensed safely.

Petroleum licence fees

Cinemas

Premises used for the public exhibition of films are required to be licenced under the Cinema (NI) Order 1991.

It`s our responsibility to make sure that the premises are well constructed and managed so customers can enjoy facilities in safety and comfort.

Cinemas licence fees

Amusement arcades

Betting and Gaming (NI) Order 2004 and Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Northern Ireland) Order 1975

Enforcement of amusement permit legislation is carried out by the police.

Amusement licence fees