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Scotland - Public Entertainment Licensing

A number of changes to public entertainment licensing are to come into force on the 1^st April 2012 when the latest changes brought about by the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 (The ‘Act’) take effect.

Currently a licence is required when anyone intends to have entertainment, such as a dance, concert, variety show or other entertainment to which members of the public are to be admitted and where some payment for admission is to be paid.

The Act repeals the words “on payment of money or money’s worth” from section 41(2) of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.  This allows licensing authorities to control large-scale public entertainments that are free to enter. Further, authorities will have the discretion to license events such as gala days or school fetes.

The Act will also update some references to gambling legislation for premises that are exempt from the public entertainment licensing provisions as well as empowering Scottish Ministers to add other premises to the list of exemptions. 

Therefore under the amended legislation, free events, which were formerly exempt, will require a public entertainment licence and the associated cost of granting, renewing or issuing a temporary licence.

If you require advice or assistance in submitting a Public Entertainment Licence please do not hesitate to contact one of our solicitors.