Licensed premises in 2026

Claire Morris, Associate

Don’t look back in anger: plan now, party later

As if Oasis returning to Manchester for their home coming gigs wasn’t enough, the Brit Awards are at Manchester’s Co-Op Live on 28 February 2026 and MOBO on 26 March 2026, putting Manchester, yet again, firmly in the national spotlight and – quite frankly – where it belongs.

Clearly, hosting the event at Co-Op Live marks yet another significant moment for the region and will undoubtedly increase footfall, media presence and hospitality demand.  However, the Brits Awards should not be viewed in isolation. Together with other sporting fixtures and entertainment events, operators will want to be ready for the sustained trading pressure and the opportunities this will create. All of this will be undoubtedly welcome at a time when the hospitality and leisure trade is trying to navigate its way through some of the harshest economic challenges yet. But if we know anything, it is that the hospitality and leisure trade is one of the most innovative and creative. It doesn’t stand still — it evolves with its audience, refreshing itself and reimagining experiences into the next must-try moment giving people new reasons to swap the sofa for a seat at the table.

Different types of events will generate different trading dynamics and customer expectations. For example, operators may choose to host themed activations — such as live screenings of major sporting fixtures or music events — as well as post-event celebrations and after-parties. Operators might also adapt both internal and external spaces to create new trading formats, extend opening hours, and introduce limited-edition menus. They may also collaborate with brands, local artists or local suppliers, or deliver immersive experiences that align with the wider city programme. In doing so, venues can capitalise not only on footfall, but on the atmosphere, energy and audience profile that major sporting, cultural and leisure events bring to a destination.

In addition to creating a commercial opportunity, doing something different can also invite regulatory risk. So, planning an event should include reviewing your existing permissions (or lack of), identifying any restrictions, and considering how best to put in place the authorisations you will need to ensure your event proceeds smoothly. Taking a holistic approach enables premises to navigate the regulatory framework strategically and maximise the opportunities it allows.

This article provides a helpful checklist for licensed and unlicensed premises to ensure they can capitalise from local, national and global events to maximise their trading ability.

Top ten licensing checklist for events in 2026

1. Check your permitted hours for licensable activities

• Do your terminal hours cover late finishes linked to major events?

2. Review your regulated entertainment permissions and know your exemptions

• What are you offering (outdoor screens; stalls) and does it need to be authorised?

3. Check your premises licence conditions

• Do you need to ‘lift’ any embedded restrictions that are limiting what you can do and where (e.g. no vertical drinking, no drinks outside after 21:00)?

4. Audit your outdoor areas

• Can you put up a temporary bar outside; when does the external area close; do any conditions prohibit the use of external screens / speakers?

5. Consider capacity & layout

• Will you reconfigure the premises for screenings or event nights, and how does this affect your fire risk assessment or maximum occupancy? How will you manage capacity for popular events?

6. Noise Management

• Do you have a documented noise management plan? Are speaker placements suitable? What about logged sound checks before and during the event?

7. People management

• Risk assess the requirement for (additional) SIA staff and how to manage people noise and migration

8. How best to introduce commercial flexibility?

• Temporary Event Notice (TEN)? These can be used to enhance an existing permission, or add new ones (even where you don’t have a premises licence)
• If the use of TENS is excluded for some reason, then you could consider one of the following:
• Minor or full variation to existing premises licence? These can be used to introduce permanent or time limited changes.
• Parallel time limited premises licence? These make more sense in some circumstances and can be used when a seasonal event runs over several weeks.

9. TENs – plan around the annual allowances

• Per year, premises are permitted to have X21 days, and x15 TENs (x5 can be late TENs)
• Personal licence holders can have up to x50 TENS (x10 can be late TENs) per annum
• Non personal licence holders can have up to x5 TENs (x2 can be late TENs) per annum
• Events starting before and concluding after midnight will use x2 days of the annual allowance
• Keep a schedule of the annual allowances used and what is remaining
• Remember: TENS cap capacity at 499 persons (includes all persons e.g staff, performers, customers etc)

10. Think ahead, understand the prospects of success and be aware of the determination timescales associated with the various authorisations:

• A new premises licence or a full variation of one can take up to x2 months
• A minor variation to premises licence takes between x11 – x15 working days for a determination
• TEN: a standard TEN must be lodged at least x10 working days before the event (objections can be challenged)
• TEN: late TEN must be lodged x9 – x5 working days before the event (but there is no mechanism to challenge objection)
• Remember: liaise in advance with responsible authorities to discuss significant changes (reduce risk of objections / important if multiple events coincide)

Get in touch with our licensing team if you have any queries about your premises at [email protected] or 0161 832 3434.