Supporting Scotland's vibrant voluntary sector
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
Licensing
Some of the activities you might carry out or want to start doing in your village or community hall could need a license. It’s important to check so that you keep within the rules.
Here are some of the licensing rules you will need to be aware of:
| Alcohol | Under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 a licence is required if alcohol is being sold. Your local authority licensing team can advise on alcohol licensing and further details. You can find information and apply on the GOV.UK website. |
| Public entertainment | Under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 and as amended by Criminal Justice and Licensing Scotland) Act 2010, a place of public entertainment is any place where members of the public are admitted or may use any facilities for the purposes of entertainment or recreation and may include fireworks displays, exhibitions, highland games, discos and dances, musical performances, concerts, lectures and talks. It applies whether there is a fee for entry or not. Different local authorities take different views on the requirements and conditions of a Public Entertainment Licence, but many village halls and community buildings are likely to require one. You can find information and apply on the GOV.UK website. |
| Theatre | Public performances of stage plays must be licensed under the Theatres Act 1968. The definition of a play includes any dramatic piece, which involves speech, singing or action and involves the playing of a role, (including ballets and musicals). Some Local Authorities take the view that if you have a Public Entertainment Licence you don’t require a Theatre Licence. |
| Gaming, bingo and lotteries | Village halls are extremely unlikely to need to become licensed for gambling purposes and lotteries for good causes or general types of gaming for good causes can be provided without a licence/permit. If you have a raffle that takes place outside an event and is open to the general public, you will need to register with your Local Authority as a small society lottery. The Gambling Commission has useful guidance detailing types of lotteries that can be run without a licence and how to run bingo legally. The Institute of Fundraising has guidance on raffles and lotteries |
| Music | If you use, play or perform live or recorded music in your community space, the chances are you need a music licence. A music license from PPL PRS allows you to legally play music for employees, volunteers or customers, through the radio, TV, other digital devices and live performances. SCVO has information on music and film licensing. PPL PRS has a specific community building music license. |
| Cinematography | You need a cinema licence for the public performance of a film. Cinema For All is the national support and development organisation for community-led cinema, helping communities across the country to develop and sustain various types of film screenings. They give advice and support including guidance on screening films in your community and a 15-minute consultation. |
Last modified on 12 October 2023