Licensing Public Entertainment
Licensing Public Entertainment - A brief guide
Public entertainment in Jersey is licensed by the Bailiff under Common Law powers. In exercising this control the Bailiff receives advice from the relevant statutory authorities.
Most venues presenting regular entertainment apply for an annual permit to offer a range of events throughout the year. An event organiser does not require a permit as long as the event conforms to the terms of a venue’s existing permit. You should check this when you hire the venue.
Applications for an annual venue permit (P.49) should be made in writing to the Bailiff. In assessing any applications, the Bailiff will seek the views of the Parish in which the venue is located, and those of the Fire and Rescue Service and Health Protection Department as to the suitability of the premises. In addition, he may seek any other relevant views.
Event organisers may apply for a ‘one-off’ public entertainment permit for an event taking place at a location (indoor or outdoor) which does not have such a permit – typical examples include open-air music events, fetes, funfairs.
What is Public Entertainment?
Public entertainment is defined in this context as “any entertainment to which members of the public may gain access with or without payment.”
Public Entertainment includes but is not confined to:
Music and dancing
- Films and theatre
- Motor sports, boxing, wrestling and equestrian events
- Circuses, funfairs, fetes which include rides or other participative activities
- Festival events, including food festivals
- Street theatre and busking
- Events which include any of the above as a component
NB Religious meetings or services, jumble sales, bazaars and sporting events (excluding those listed above) do not in themselves constitute Public Entertainment unless they include other relevant activities.
If you are in any doubt as to whether a specific event requires a permit, you should approach the Bailiff’s Chambers for advice.
How do I apply for an occasional permit?
Contact the Bailiff’s Chambers for an application form. Together with the completed application form, you must submit an Event Plan providing information on the type of event that is proposed, how it is organised and the measures taken to ensure that any foreseeable risks that may exist – whether to participants or spectators – will be addressed. The amount of information required will depend on the nature of the event proposed but guidance on the typical components of an Event Plan is available from the Bailiff’s Chambers.
Where an event may impact on others – for example, by causing noise or other potential nuisance – you must show how you will mitigate the effects of any such problems.
Depending on the nature of the event, the information provided may be considered by a panel which meets each month to advise the Bailiff. It comprises representatives from:
- States of Jersey Police
- States Fire and Rescue Service
- States Ambulance Service
- Health and Safety Inspectorate
- Health Protection Department
The Panel may also involve the Connétable in whose Parish it is proposed an event take place.
You will receive an invitation to attend the meeting so that you can explain what you are proposing and answer any questions that may be raised.
How can I prepare for the Panel meeting?
To help you with your Event Plan, useful information is available from the Health and Safety Inspectorate and from the other statutory bodies. (Copies are available from the departments concerned, or from the Bailiff’s Chambers.) If you have any queries about what is required you can contact the Chief Officer at the Bailiff’s Chambers.
For many events it is also advisable to contact your Parish Hall at an early stage to make them aware of your plans.
When you are invited to attend the Panel meeting, you can bring a colleague to help you explain what you want to do.
How long does the application process take?
Once you have made your written application you will be invited to the first available Panel meeting. You must ensure that you have given sufficient notice so that you can present all the information required at the meeting taking place in the month before your proposed event at the very latest or preferably earlier. However, it is strongly recommended that you allow at least three months for complicated events.
Once the Panel has considered the final plans and made its recommendation, the Bailiff will make a decision within seven days of the meeting. Frequently, however, organisers are asked to provide additional information which has been omitted from the original plan and the Panel may have to consider the matter again at another meeting. This is why you should give yourself as much time as possible.
If the Bailiff grants a permit, you will be asked to submit a cheque payable to the Treasurer of the States and a permit will be issued to you. (Details of the charge for occasional permits are available from the Bailiff’s Chambers.) Copies are sent to the relevant authorities. The Bailiff may attach specific conditions concerning occupancy, noise limits, or anything else which must be observed as a requirement of the permit.
Can alcohol be sold at my event?
The sale of alcohol is regulated by the Licensing (Jersey) Law 1974. Alcohol may only be sold by a person authorised to do so under the Law. For events on unlicensed premises you will need to approach the holder of an existing licence; he, or she, will then have to apply for a Special Permit for the event. (Further details are available from the Bailiff’s Chambers).
I’m just interesting in busking. How do I go about that?
You simply collect a form from the Jersey Arts Centre in Phillips Street and arrange to undergo a brief audition. If it is successful, the Arts Centre will forward your application to the Bailiff’s Chambers and you will be issued with the appropriate permit. There is an administrative fee. Further details, including busking guidelines, are available from the Jersey Arts Centre.
In the event of any queries relating to Public Entertainment contact:
The Chief Officer
Bailiff’s Chambers
The Royal Square
St Helier
JE1 1BA
Tel.: (01534) 441103
Fax.: (01534) 441137
