Street party licence

Street parties have a long history and are a British tradition. Street parties are becoming more common with typically relaxed BBQ and food sharing arrangements.  Visit the street party website (opens in a new window) for more advice on planning your street party.

Street parties are generally defined as follows:

•The event is not publicised for the general public and therefore will not draw in people from a wider area

•The event applies to the residents of one or two streets only and not to larger areas. Therefore attendance will generally involve fewer than 150 people

Street parties in their own right do not require a licence under the Licensing Act 2003 and most street parties held do not need a licence. There are however, certain activities that require authorisation under the Licensing Act 2003.

Any street party where;

• alcohol is to be sold (alcohol is still deemed to be sold if it is offered as part of an entrance fee or ticket price), or
• entertainment offered to members of the public (private events do not usually require authorisation)

will need to obtain a Temporary Event Notice. A Temporary Event Notice costs £21 and can authorise events for which no more than 499 people are expected to attend. Visit the Temporary Event Notices article for more information.

If you are proposing tohold a street party on the public highwayand these requirements are met, you will need to notify Highways at Dorset County Council.

Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Licensed Premises

The licensing hours have been relaxed for the Queens Diamond Jubilee weekend in June 2012. Any premises permitted to sell alcohol on the premises, up to or after 23:00hrs on Friday and Saturday nights will be permitted to open as follows on the following days:

Friday 1 June; From 23:00 - 01:00 on Saturday 2 June 2012

Saturday 2 June; From 23:00 - 01:00 on Sunday 3 June 2012

The relaxation order permits such premises to continue with the licensable activities already authorised by their Premises Licence or Club Premises Certificate until 01:00hrs without the need for a Temporary Event Notice. If additional licensable activities are required for this weekend a Temporary Event Notice will need to be submitted. 

The relaxation order does not apply to off-licences or take-aways.