Giving Away a Free Drink, do I need a Drinks Licence?
Discussion
If I want to give a free glass of Champagne to the drivers and co-drivers at the end of a rally do I need a drinks licence. The drinks would be given away outside the entrance to a hotel and no charge would be made. The hotel have told me that if I want to use their Champage it would be £9:00 a glass 
We could do it ourselves for £20 a bottle but the hotel have told us we would need a licence. Is this true or just a hotel law to make us pay their crazy prices?
We could do it ourselves for £20 a bottle but the hotel have told us we would need a licence. Is this true or just a hotel law to make us pay their crazy prices?As I understand it, provided you make no charge for the Champagne and the drivers aren't able to purchase another glass than you would not need a license.
Or just to prevent any problems apply for a temporary events license for £21 and then if anyone wants a second or third glass you can take there money.
Or just to prevent any problems apply for a temporary events license for £21 and then if anyone wants a second or third glass you can take there money.
I am certain a licence is only needed to SELL alcohol? I remember being in a bar after hours and having a few extra while leaving the bartender an, ahem, tip!
I think you'll be fine, as long as no one actually BUYS a drink?
Also what would the law say if I was to invite a few mates round, I'd go to tesco and buy a few crates of lager cheaply and they would reimburse me their share?
I think you'll be fine, as long as no one actually BUYS a drink?
Also what would the law say if I was to invite a few mates round, I'd go to tesco and buy a few crates of lager cheaply and they would reimburse me their share?
V8mate said:
zetec said:
Also what would the law say if I was to invite a few mates round, I'd go to tesco and buy a few crates of lager cheaply and they would reimburse me their share?
I think the Judge would send you down for being a tight-arse and not standing your mates a few tinnies.
I just want to add to my first point, that as long as those consuming are over 18!
I think the issue could be, if someone wanted to make it so, that whilst you're giving the drink for free the cost of it is included in the entry fee so indirectly the entrants are paying for it.
The reason I say this is that although completely different it is slightly the same; a chalet was offering free ski guiding.... to be paid for guiding you need to be qualified ...... the ski schools kicked up a fuss and the whole thing went to european court and they held that the clients were paying for the guiding as it was included as an element of their holiday cost...
The reason I say this is that although completely different it is slightly the same; a chalet was offering free ski guiding.... to be paid for guiding you need to be qualified ...... the ski schools kicked up a fuss and the whole thing went to european court and they held that the clients were paying for the guiding as it was included as an element of their holiday cost...
I'm an off-licence manager and I'm fairly certain ( not 100% mind)that as long as the person distributing the champagne has a personal liquor licence and there's no selling involved it's OK.
I'd suggest asking your local offie or pub if they can 'lend' someone suitable for the function.
I'd suggest asking your local offie or pub if they can 'lend' someone suitable for the function.
Perhaps I should have been a bit clearer - since I have a personal licence to sell alcohol ( off licence manager or pub landlord needs one to trade)...we are then also called 'designated premises supervisors' dps is the acronymn, for our respective businesses....we can also sell alcohol at different premises....but there needs to be a premises licence in place at the different locations.
If you are giving away the alcohol, then all that is needed is someone supervising that holds a personal licence...and the person giving out the alcohol has been trained in alchol restricted sales. ie not serving underage or drunks.
If you are giving away the alcohol, then all that is needed is someone supervising that holds a personal licence...and the person giving out the alcohol has been trained in alchol restricted sales. ie not serving underage or drunks.
Call your local council and find out. In my experience, things like this can differ between councils and even though theoretically it should be fine since your giving out alcohol for free, it is upto them whether they want to make a big fuss out of it or not.
Their more likely to frown upon someone who's trying to bend the rules, which imo, don't think you are.
Their more likely to frown upon someone who's trying to bend the rules, which imo, don't think you are.
Temporary Event Notice
Are you organising a fête or fund raising event?
Will it involve the sale of alcohol or the provision of entertainment including music or dancing?
If it does then you need to consider whether these activities need authorising as a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) under |Licensing Legislation.
|A leaflet about Temporary Event Notices is available to download, but in brief the following are licensable activities:
Any sale or supply of alcohol (including giving it away as part of a wider ticket e.g. "fish and chip supper including free glass of wine" and may include where alcohol is given away as a prize such as at bottle stall or raffle).
Entertainment consisting of plays, films, an indoor sporting event, boxing or wrestling, a performance of live or recorded music, any playing of recorded music, any performance of dance, or entertainment of a similar description.
(Note: This will only be licensable if it is public entertainment or, if it is private entertainment intended to make a profit - no matter to whom or to where the proceeds go. This may include many fund raising activities not previously licensable e.g school fêtes or quiz nights where the function is private but is designed to be a fundraiser).
If the activity will last not more than 96 hours (4 days) and is for not more than 500 people, a full |Premises Licence for a licensable activity is not required. All you need is a |Temporary Event Notice (TEN) which must be sent, in duplicate, to your Local Authority (with the correct fee) and to the Police at least 10 working days before the function. If the Police do not object, the function can then go ahead.
In order not to be disappointed, please note the following:
Try to apply for your TEN at least six weeks before the event.
Don't leave it to the last minute in case there is an objection or problem - 10 days before the event is too late!
|Download an application form for a Temporary Event, complete and return it with the |correct fee to Environmental Health & Licensing at Elmbridge Borough Council. If in doubt |contact us for further advice.
Are you organising a fête or fund raising event?
Will it involve the sale of alcohol or the provision of entertainment including music or dancing?
If it does then you need to consider whether these activities need authorising as a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) under |Licensing Legislation.
|A leaflet about Temporary Event Notices is available to download, but in brief the following are licensable activities:
Any sale or supply of alcohol (including giving it away as part of a wider ticket e.g. "fish and chip supper including free glass of wine" and may include where alcohol is given away as a prize such as at bottle stall or raffle).
Entertainment consisting of plays, films, an indoor sporting event, boxing or wrestling, a performance of live or recorded music, any playing of recorded music, any performance of dance, or entertainment of a similar description.
(Note: This will only be licensable if it is public entertainment or, if it is private entertainment intended to make a profit - no matter to whom or to where the proceeds go. This may include many fund raising activities not previously licensable e.g school fêtes or quiz nights where the function is private but is designed to be a fundraiser).
If the activity will last not more than 96 hours (4 days) and is for not more than 500 people, a full |Premises Licence for a licensable activity is not required. All you need is a |Temporary Event Notice (TEN) which must be sent, in duplicate, to your Local Authority (with the correct fee) and to the Police at least 10 working days before the function. If the Police do not object, the function can then go ahead.
In order not to be disappointed, please note the following:
Try to apply for your TEN at least six weeks before the event.
Don't leave it to the last minute in case there is an objection or problem - 10 days before the event is too late!
|Download an application form for a Temporary Event, complete and return it with the |correct fee to Environmental Health & Licensing at Elmbridge Borough Council. If in doubt |contact us for further advice.
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