# Temporary event notices and Martyn’s Law > Understand temporary event notice limits, including the 499-person maximum, and how Martyn’s Law can still apply to the premises hosting your event. A temporary event notice allows certain temporary licensable activities in England and Wales for fewer than 500 people at all times, including staff. A TEN event within that limit is below Martyn’s Law’s separate 800-person qualifying event threshold. The premises hosting it may still fall within Martyn’s Law. ## At a glance - **TEN attendance limit**: 499 people at once, including staff - **TEN duration limit**: 168 hours - **Qualifying event threshold**: 800 or more, plus other tests - **Host premises**: Check their duties separately ## What a temporary event notice covers A TEN is part of the Licensing Act 2003 framework in England and Wales. It can cover temporary licensable activities at unlicensed premises, or activities outside an existing licence’s terms. These may include alcohol sales, relevant entertainment or late-night refreshment. People sometimes call it a TENs licence, but the formal process is serving a temporary event notice. Whether a particular activity needs authorisation depends on the licensing rules and exemptions, so check with the council. [Martyn’s Law event requirements](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/events) · [What a safety advisory group does](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/safety-advisory-group) ## Keep within the TEN limits GOV.UK states that fewer than 500 people may be present at all times, including staff running the event, and that the event may last no more than 168 hours. A lower safe occupancy or another applicable restriction still needs to be respected. A standard TEN must be served at least 10 clear working days before the event. The day the council receives it and the event day do not count. Annual limits also apply to the individual and the premises; check the council’s records before relying on the TEN route. ## Why a TEN event is below the event threshold Martyn’s Law requires at least 800 people reasonably expected at once for an event to be a qualifying event, alongside public access, specified entry checks and the other statutory tests. It follows that an event confined to the TEN maximum of 499 people does not meet that attendance test. This is a comparison of the two legal thresholds, rather than a general exemption for anything described as a TEN event. Assess the actual event boundaries if the TEN covers only part of a larger event. [Counting people and event boundaries](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/counting-people) · [Enhanced duties for qualifying events](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/enhanced-tier) ## The venue may still have premises duties A hall, pub or other venue can qualify as premises because of its use and expected attendance from time to time. Hosting a smaller TEN event does not remove that status. A qualifying venue’s procedures need to reflect the activities taking place there. Ordinary hiring does not transfer the operator’s Martyn’s Law responsibility to the hirer. Agree how the organiser will receive instructions and help carry out the venue’s arrangements. Licensing responsibility and premises responsibility should each be understood. [Martyn’s Law for village halls](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/village-halls) · [Who is the responsible person](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/responsible-person) ## Check both the notice and the venue The TEN licensing rules already apply. Martyn’s Law’s venue and event duties are not yet in force; the SIA expects commencement in spring 2027, with no exact date confirmed. This guide is general information, not legal advice. - Confirm whether the proposed activities need licensing authorisation. - Check the TEN deadline, attendance limit, duration and annual limits with the council. - Count staff as well as visitors and establish how numbers will be controlled. - Check whether the host premises fall within Martyn’s Law. - Agree who briefs organisers, volunteers and other people working at the event. - Discuss routes, safer areas, door controls and emergency communication before opening. [Check your venue’s Martyn’s Law tier](https://wardcote.co.uk/check-your-tier) · [Public protection procedures for your venue](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/public-protection-procedures) ## Questions ### What is the maximum number of people for a TEN? Fewer than 500 people at all times: a maximum of 499, including staff running the event. Other safety or occupancy restrictions may require a lower number. ### Does Martyn’s Law apply to a TEN event? An event confined to the TEN maximum is below the 800-person qualifying event threshold. However, the host premises may qualify under Martyn’s Law, and their premises duties still need to be considered. ### Can a TEN cover an event with 800 people? A single TEN cannot authorise an event exceeding its fewer-than-500-person limit. If the notice concerns part of a larger event, assess the licensing arrangements and the Martyn’s Law event boundaries separately. ### Does serving a TEN notify the SIA? No. A TEN is a licensing notice to the local authority. SIA notification is a separate Martyn’s Law duty for qualifying premises and events once that requirement commences. ### Do TEN rules apply throughout the UK? The TEN system described here applies in England and Wales. Martyn’s Law applies across the UK, but licensing arrangements differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland. ## Sources - [GOV.UK: temporary event notices in England and Wales](https://www.gov.uk/find-licences/temporary-events-notice) - [Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/10/pdfs/ukpga_20250010_en.pdf) - [Home Office events scope factsheet](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-factsheets/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-scope-events) - [Home Office statutory guidance](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025/terrorism-protection-of-premises-act-2025-statutory-guidance) - [ProtectUK: Martyn’s Law frequently asked questions](https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law/martyns-law-frequently-asked-questions) - [SIA role and implementation timetable](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-martyns-law-and-the-sias-role-as-regulator) ## Related - [Safety advisory groups and Martyn’s Law](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/safety-advisory-group) - [Martyn’s Law crowd management and event security](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/events) - [Martyn’s Law for village halls](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/village-halls) - [Martyn’s Law for pubs and hospitality venues](https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/pubs-and-hospitality) --- Source: https://wardcote.co.uk/martyns-law/temporary-event-notice · Last reviewed 2026-10-16 · Wardcote, venue and event security. General guidance, not legal advice.