Apply for a safety certificate for a sports ground

We’re responsible for inspecting sports grounds and issuing safety certificates under the:

• Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987 (legislation.gov.uk).

A safety certificate helps make sure spectators can use a sports ground or stand safely.

You need a safety certificate if your sports ground either:

• can hold 10,000 or more spectators
• has a covered stand that can hold 500 or more spectators.

We can issue certificates for:

• a sports ground
• a regulated stand (a covered stand that meets the legal criteria for certification)
• changes to an existing sports ground certificate
• changes to an existing regulated stand certificate.

The general safety certificate covers specified sporting activities at the ground or stand. If you want to hold a different type of spectator event, such as a concert, you may need a special safety certificate.

You can apply if you own, manage or are responsible for a sports ground or regulated stand in Renfrewshire that requires certification.

You can also apply to amend, revise, replace or transfer an existing safety certificate.

The current fees are:

• £1,750 for a new safety certificate
• £1,010 to amend, revise, replace or transfer a safety certificate where an inspection is required
• £336.25 to amend, revise, replace or transfer a safety certificate where an inspection is not required.

Make sure you have all the information and supporting documents needed for your application. We'll provide more information once you contact us.

Contact us to find out how to apply for a safety certificate or a special safety certificate:

We'll review your application and any supporting documents you submit. We may carry out an inspection where required. 

The time it takes us to assess and approve your application depends on:

• the quality of the information you provide
• whether you submit all required supporting documents
• the complexity of the application. 

Providing complete information at the start will help us process your application more efficiently.

Appeal a decision

If we refuse to issue a certificate for a regulated stand, or close a ground because of safety breaches, you have the right to appeal. Appeals must be made to the Sheriff Court by summary application (a legal process used to ask the court to review a decision). 

You must submit:

• appeals relating to a general safety certificate for a regulated stand within 28 days of the notification date
• appeals relating to a special safety certificate within 7 days of the notification date.

Send your appeal to the Sheriff Court by post to:

If we refuse to issue a certificate for a sports ground, you can appeal to the Scottish Government.