Events licensing

If your event involves any sort of public entertainment, any marquees, stages or temporary structures or the sale of alcohol it is likely that you need some sort of licence.

The planning events: licences briefing sheet (202 kb) is an introduction to the different types of licences you may need, what they are for and how to apply for them. To view this documents, you will need Adobe Acrobat.


Remember without the correct licence(s) you will be breaking the law.

Licensed public open spaces

Southwark council has now licensed several public open spaces for events.  So far, the spaces for which premises licences are held are:

• Burgess Park
• Camberwell Green
• Dulwich Park
• Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park
• Goose Green
• Lucas Gardens
• Peckham Rye Common
• Peckham Square
• Southwark Park

More information about these licences and how they can be used will be made available on this page very soon.  If you plan to hold an event in these spaces you will still need to apply through the events team to hire a venue.

Useful links

• Application form and guidelines for a temporary events notice
• Application form and guidelines for a premises licence
• Visit the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website for more information on the Licensing Act 2003.
• Application form and guidelines for a temporary structures licence

Contact us

Southwark customer service centre
Tel: 020 7525 2000
events@southwark.gov.uk