Running venues and musical events
Guidance on organising live events and the business requirements involved.
If you are organising performance and music events, you will need to meet the same basic requirements as any other business. You will need to consider the legal and taxation issues, as well as marketing, finance and business planning.
Licensing requirements
Performance events can range in size from small gigs to major concerts and festivals. You will need two separate licences for most music events:
- local council entertainment licence – required for live performances with paying audiences
- PRS for Music and PPL licences – for playing recorded music publicly (even background music)
Licensing covers live bands and DJ sets, festivals and open-air events, and club nights and theatre shows. Exceptions include private functions and rehearsals without public admission.
Find information on the Entertainment licence (Northern Ireland).
Search GOV.UK's Licence Finder for other licence requirements for your business.
Health and safety responsibilities
Health and safety is an important consideration, and before arranging any event, you should get advice from health and safety officers in your local council. Event organisers must ensure:
- fire risk assessment and marked emergency exits
- capacity limits based on venue size
- security personnel (SIA-licensed for paid door staff)
- noise impact assessment (especially events after 11pm)
- PAT testing for all electrical equipment (lights, PA systems)
- first aid provision (trained first-aider and kit)
- sanitary facilities (toilets per 100 attendees)
Contact your local council's environmental health team for advice at least eight weeks before the event.
You may want to use a specialist contractor to make sure that you meet the requirements of the many regulations, including that on fire safety, environmental noise control and public safety.
Noise regulations
Strict controls apply in relation to noice, especially near residential areas:
- music must stop by 11pm unless special permission obtained
- sound levels should be monitored at venue boundary
- pre-event noise survey is often required
- complainants can trigger immediate closure
Work with local Environmental Health officers to agree operating conditions, and remember to take out all the necessary insurances which may include public liability, venue hirers indemnity, cancellation insurance and employers liability.
Read more about organising events in Northern Ireland.