Public entertainment licence
Licence summary
If your premises are used as a place of public entertainment you must hold a public entertainment licence. Such a licence is not required in certain circumstances, eg for an athletic or sports ground being used for sports or athletic purposes or entertainment that is being provided on premises licensed under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 during licensed hours.
Licences are obtained from the licensing authority for the area where the activity is to be carried out. Licensing authorities are the local authority for that area.
Applications may be subject to a fee and should be made in writing in such a form as required by the licensing authority (including by electronic means). Applications must be signed by the applicant or their agent (including by electronic means).
Eligibility Criteria
If the application is for entertainment that will be mainly or wholly on the premises you must display a public notice detailing your application, in a public place at or near the premises for 21 days from the date the application is submitted. The notice must contain details relating to the application, where objections and representations can be made and how the objections and representations can be made. If you are required to place a notice you must supply the licensing authority with a certificate confirming you have complied with the requirement.
Regulation Summary
See the External Links section on this page for the regulation summary.
Application Evaluation Process
The licensing authority will send a copy of the application to the local chief constable and to the appropriate relevant authority (or where applicable the enforcing authority under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005). The enforcing or relevant authority may be the Health & Safety Executive, the fire service or the local authority. The licensing authority will give notice to the public in local newspapers of every application.
Will Tacit Consent Apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period
Apply online
Please use the link under the External Links section on this page to submit an application.
Failed Application Redress
Please contact your Local District Council in the first instance. If you wish to appeal against a decision you may do so to the local sheriff within 28 days of the decision. The sheriff can only uphold an appeal if they consider that the licensing authority:
- erred in law
- used incorrect material fact when making their decision
- acted contrary to natural justice
- didn't exercise their discretion in a reasonable manner
Appeals against a sheriff's decision can be made to the Court of Session within 28 days of the decision.
Licence Holder Redress
Please contact your Local District Council in the first instance. If you wish to appeal against a decision you may do so to the local sheriff within 28 days of the decision. The sheriff can only uphold an appeal if they consider that the licensing authority:
- erred in law
- used incorrect material fact when making their decision
- acted contrary to natural justice
- didn't exercise their discretion in a reasonable manner
Appeals against a sheriff's decision can be made to the Court of Session within 28 days of the decision.
Consumer Complaint
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
If you wish to appeal against a decision you may do so to the local sheriff within 28 days of the decision. The sheriff can only uphold an appeal if they consider that the licensing authority:
- erred in law
- used incorrect material fact when making their decision
- acted contrary to natural justice
- didn't exercise their discretion in a reasonable manner
Appeals against a sheriff's decision can be made to the Court of Session within 28 days of the decision.
Other Redress
If you wish to appeal against a decision you may do so to the local sheriff within 28 days of the decision. The sheriff can only uphold an appeal if they consider that the licensing authority:
- erred in law
- used incorrect material fact when making their decision
- acted contrary to natural justice
- didn't exercise their discretion in a reasonable manner
Appeals against a sheriff's decision can be made to the Court of Session within 28 days of the decision.