Licence summary

If you wish to provide entertainment to members of the public you must obtain a licence form the Council.

There are generally two main types of entertainment: Indoor and Outdoor.

Indoor Entertainment

This consists of:

Music, singing and dancing

Theatrical performances

Circuses

Boxing, wrestling, karate matches or exhibitions

Snooker or pool matches or exhibitions

Video machines, pool and snooker tables

Outdoor Entertainment

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

Premises must meet certain technical requirements before a licence can be granted and must comply with any conditions attached to a licence once issued.

Eligibility Criteria

A licence may not be granted, renewed or transferred if the applicant has been convicted of an offence of either providing unlicensed entertainment, or providing entertainments otherwise than in accordance with the licence terms and conditions within 5 years preceding the date of the application.

Regulation Summary

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (NI) Order 1985

Application Evaluation Process

Applications must include:

Three copies of plans of the building

Certification of testing/ provision of fire fighting equipment

Certification of installation/ testing fire alarm systems

Certification of installation/ testing of emergency lighting systems

A Periodic Inspection Report on the Electrical Installation

Certification showing that there is in force a policy of public liability insurance

Certification in respect of flammability of curtains, carpets, chair coverings etc

Within 7 days of making the application, applicants must also place a notice in two newspapers circulating in the council district that an application for an entertainment licence has been made. This permits members of the public 28 days to make any representation in relation to the application. Evidence that these public notices have been placed must be provided to the council as part of the application process.

Copies of the application will be sent to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. Their comments will be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not the licence should be granted.

An inspection of the premises will be carried out by the Council and the NIFRS before a new application can be approved. This may require works to be carried out to enhance fire safety.

All premises will be inspected by a Council Officer to ensure that the premises meet technical requirements before a licence can be renewed.

Within three months of the receipt of all supporting documentation (or failure to provide such documentation) the council will determine the application.

However, where the council considers it justified this three month determination period may be extended to 9 months. (This is most likely to happen when there have been objections lodged against the application, or in the case of a grant application where works must be carried out to the premises to meet technical requirements, or where, for renewal applications, remedial works have to be carried out by the applicant to ensure that the premises continue to meet technical requirements.)

Where representations have been lodged as a result of the public notice placed in two local newspapers both the applicant and the persons making the representation will be given the opportunity to appear before the council. Neither applicant nor the persons making such representations are obliged to appear however all representations will be considered by the Council when determining whether or not the licence should be renewed. Applicants will be made aware of any objections lodged at the earliest practical opportunity. Applicants can also request to appear before the council to make a representation about the application, even if no other representations have been made.

Applicants will be notified within 10 working days of any council decision in respect of the application.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Tacit consent will only apply where a renewal application is received before the date of expiry of the existing licence. This means that the licence is deemed to remain in force beyond the expiry date of the previous licence until such times as the application is withdrawn, renewed or refused in accordance with the time scales detailed above. Applications received after the date of expiry of an existing licence will be treated as an application for the Grant of a licence.

Tacit consent does not apply to applications for the Grant or Provisional Grant of a licence. It is in the public interest that such applications are fully processed before a licence can be issued. The Police, Fire and Rescue Services and the public all have a legitimate interest in the outcome of such applications therefore Tacit Consent does not apply to minimise the risk of a licence being granted inadvertently, subsequently resulting in public disorder, removal of protection of the safety of the public and a cumulative adverse environmental impact on the vicinity of the premises. Therefore, if a licence has not been granted within the time scales set above you may not provide entertainment at the location in question until such times as the application is determined.

If you have not heard from the Council within a reasonable period, please contact us. You can do this online here if you applied through the UK Welcomes service or telephone the Environmental Health Department on 028 79397979, or email env.health@magherafelt.gov.uk

Apply Online

Apply for an Entertainment Licence
Apply to vary or change your existing Entertainment Licence

Apply to renew your Entertainment Licence

Apply to transfer an existing Entertainment Licence

Contact Details

Telephone: 028 79397979

Fax: 028 79397980

E-mail: anne.boyle@magherafelt.gov.uk

Licensing Officer
Magherafelt District Council

50 Ballyronan Road

Magherafelt

BT45 6EN

Failed Application Redress

Please contact Magherafelt District Council in the first instance.

Applicants will be notified within 10 working days of any council decision in respect of the application.

Where an application is refused the applicant can appeal to the county court. This must be done within 21 days of the date the applicant has been notified of such a decision.

Applicants can also appeal any term, condition or restriction imposed on them by the licence. Again, this should be done within 21 days of receiving notification of the term, condition or restriction to the county court.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact Magherafelt District Council in the first instance.
A licence holder may apply to vary a condition attached to a licence. Applications are made to the district council (see 'Apply online').

Register of licences, registrations and approvals

Information regarding Register of licences, registrations and approvals

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.

Other Redress

Any complaints concerning entertainment, including complaints about breach of conditions of licence, noise etc should be made directly to the environmental health department on 028 79397979, or by emailing anne.boyle@magherafelt.gov.uk.

Trade Associations and other useful links

Contact the local Court office: mailto: magherafeltcourthouse@courtsni.gov.uk

Other Licences may be required for the provision of music to the public:
Performing Rights Society
PPL Licences