If you’re organising event security, one of the first questions to ask is: does this count as a licensed premise? The answer directly affects the type of SIA licence your staff need and how you assign duties across the site.
This article explains what licensed premises are, how the rules vary across the UK, and why getting this right is crucial for delivering legal and safe events.
What Is a Licensed Premise?
A licensed premise is a venue that holds permission to:
- Sell alcohol for consumption on the premises
- Offer regulated entertainment (e.g. live music, dance, or film screenings)
Licences are granted under different legislation depending on location:
- England and Wales: Licensing Act 2003
- Scotland: Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005
- Northern Ireland: Licensing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996
If a venue has one of these permissions at the time of your event, it is classed as a licensed premise under SIA rules, and staff performing licensable duties in these areas must hold a Door Supervisor licence.
Why It Matters for Security Planning
If you deploy staff with the wrong type of licence at a licensed venue, you risk:
- Breaching SIA regulations
- Voiding your insurance cover
- Facing fines or legal action
Knowing which areas are licensed helps you:
- Assign staff correctly
- Use the right SIA licences
- Stay compliant with local and national rules
Examples of Licensed Premises
Here are some common examples of licensed venues:
- Bars, pubs, and nightclubs
- Music venues and performance spaces
- Outdoor events with alcohol sales under a Temporary Event Notice (TEN)
- Sports stadia or arenas with licensed fan zones
- Festival areas like beer tents or VIP lounges
Even zones within a larger unlicensed site can be licensed, like a beer tent inside a public park.
When Is a Door Supervisor Licence Required?
According to the SIA, a Door Supervisor licence is needed if:
- The space is a licensed premise
- It’s open to the public
- Alcohol is sold or consumed
- Regulated entertainment is taking place
- Your staff carry out licensable duties (e.g. checking IDs, managing queues, refusing entry)
This rule applies whether staff are employed in-house or via a contractor.
Licensed Areas Within Larger Events
Mixed-use event sites often contain both licensed and unlicensed areas.
Examples:
- A music festival with licensed main stages and unlicensed campsites
- A stadium with a licensed concourse but a public entry plaza
If staff work across both areas and perform licensable roles in the licensed part, they must hold a Door Supervisor licence.
What About Temporary Licences?
A Temporary Event Notice (TEN) or equivalent licence temporarily turns a space into a licensed premise.
Even if the site usually is unlicensed:
- As soon as the TEN takes effect, the area is treated as licensed
- You must use Door Supervisor-licensed staff for licensable activities
- Your deployment plan and staffing must reflect the licensing period
Exceptions and Special Cases
Some venues may hold licences but are not considered licensed premises under SIA rules. These exceptions include:
- Private members’ clubs with a club premises certificate (no public access)
- Theatres and cinemas where entertainment is the primary activity and alcohol is not served
- Certain gambling venues or bingo halls are covered by separate laws
Licensing rules vary by country within the UK. Always check with the local authority or the SIA for location-specific guidance.
Questions to Ask the Venue
Avoid confusion by asking these early:
- Is there an active alcohol or entertainment licence?
- Are Temporary Event Notices in place?
- Which parts of the venue are covered by the licence?
- Are any areas excluded from the licence?
- Can you provide a site plan showing licensed zones?
This helps you plan roles, rotas, and licence coverage accurately.
Organiser and Security Team Tips
- Use Door Supervisor-licensed staff for all licensed areas
- Do not assign security-guarding-only staff to licensed zones
- Make sure supervisors know which licence is required in each area
- Include this information in team briefings and deployment plans
Summary: Get the Licence Right, Stay Compliant
Understanding what constitutes a licensed premise is a crucial aspect of security planning.
Whether you’re securing a pub, an arena, or an open-air event with a temporary licence, identifying licensed zones helps you deploy staff who are correctly trained and hold the appropriate SIA licences.
When in doubt:
- Ask the venue
- Review the licence
- Check with the SIA
The right approach helps keep your event legal, professional, and safe for everyone involved.
