A Taste for Events - EventScotland

PLANNINGYOUR EVENTIF YOU WANT TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL EVENT, YOU WILL NEED A CLEAREVENT PLAN OUTLINING YOUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES AND YOU WILLNEED TO FULFIL CERTAIN LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, WHICH ARE DESIGNEDTO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR CUSTOMERS.Here are some of the things you will need to do.ENSURE YOU HAVE ALL RELEVANT LICENCESLicensing requirements will vary with each type ofevent but could include a Liquor Licence, a StreetTraders Licence, a Market Operators Licence andpermission for Road Closures. Your Local Authoritycan advise on which licences your event will need.But don’t leave it to the last minutes. It can take upto 10 weeks for licence applications to be processedand approved.BE AWARE OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTSAgain, these will vary with each type of event and yourLocal Authority Environmental Services Departmentwill be able to provide guidance. You can probablyexpect to need to cover legislation in areas such asFood Hygiene, Health & Safety at Work, Fire Safetyand Disability Discrimination.CARRY OUT A RISK ASSESSMENTThe importance of this cannot be over-stated,but risk assessment need not be overly complex.The Health and Safety Executive provide clearand concise guidance on risk assessments atwww.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm.HAVE ADEQUATE INSURANCE IN PLACEYou should always have public liability insurance tocover you against any claims made by visitors to yourevent. You may also want insurance cover for propertyand equipment and for cancellation or abandonment.Contact your insurance broker well in advance andaim to have all insurances in place at least 2-3 monthsbefore your event.Any contractors or caterers you work with shouldalso carry out their own risk assessments and youshould ask for copies of these.15