You will almost certainly have to get permission and/or approval from several different authorities, people, organisations and groups before you are allowed to run your event. The permissions required change depending on the location, size, format, content and type of event being organised. As the event organiser, a critical part of your feasibility investigation will be to check that all interested parties will give permission for the event to go ahead. Before you commit to spending any money, you should have received formal and written approval for your event to run.

Local authority

The local authority is usually a good source of information and advice. They are also responsible for approving and licensing certain events. There are two main classes of event that must be formally licensed: those that include singing, dancing or music (which will probably require a public entertainment licence), and those that include contests or demonstrations of boxing, karate and other contact sports.

As a general rule most local authorities now have some sort of safety advisory group that has been formed to advise on and approve or disapprove events in their area.

You must check with your local authority, explain the details of the event you want to organise, then take advice as to which permissions are needed. They will also usually advise you in relation to the planning and delivery of your event.