Live music
performances for 100 people or less will no longer need to be
licensed, under proposals announced today by licensing Minister
Gerry Sutcliffe.
An exemption from the Licensing Act for small live music events
would make it easier for a wide range of venues to put on live
music, and help musicians who want to play to a live audience.
Gerry Sutcliffe said:
“Going to see a band, musician or singer is a very important part
of many people’s lives and we’re keen to do what we can to support
audiences and musicians.
“An exemption for venues with 100 people or less would benefit
many small venues, particularly unlicensed premises such as
village halls and cafes, which may currently be put off by
licensing requirements. But we are also proposing that the
exemption can be revoked at individual premises if there have been
problems with noise, nuisance or disorder.”
Currently anyone wanting to put on live music must have a
premises licence, a club premises certificate or a temporary event
notice, although there are some exceptions for incidental,
background music.
An exemption would ensure that all licensed premises such as pubs
and clubs would be able to put on small scale live music,
regardless of whether or not their existing licence included a
provision for staging entertainment events. Unlicensed premises
such as cafes, restaurants, village halls and record shops would
also be able to host events without the need of for a licence.
But to ensure that any concerns of people living close to venues
are taken into account, the exemption would only apply to
performances that are indoors, and take place between 8am and
11pm.
Residents and responsible authorities such as the police would
have the power to call for an exemption to be revoked at a
specific venue if there was cause for concern.
Martin Rawlings, director of pub and leisure at the British Beer
and Pub Association said:
“The BBPA welcomes any measures that can help pubs overcome
existing barriers to putting on live music, helping aspiring and
established musicians to reach audiences while at the same time
boosting business, particularly during these difficult economic times.”
The consultation, published today, is available at www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/consultations/6499.aspx
Notes to Editors
1. Further information on live music and licensing is available
at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/alcohol_and_entertainment/4060.aspx
2. Incidental music is already exempt from the need for a
licence. Further information is available at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Music_to_your_ears.pdf
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