Relaxation of Restrictions on Live Music in Small Venues
The Live Music Bill to which the House of Lords gave approval on 27th January 2012 will relax some of the licensing restrictions on small music venues in England and Wales under the existing licensing regime. The Bill will help to reduce the burden and expense currently placed on publicans and organisers of small events.
Under the changes set out in the Bill (which is likely to receive Royal Assent around the end of February 2012), small venues such as pubs, restaurants and community halls with capacities of less than 200, which host live music will no longer have to rely on the authorisation of a Premises Licence or a Temporary Event Licence to play amplified live music between the hours of 8pm and 11pm, while venues staging events with unamplified live music will not require any authorisations, under the existing licensing regime.
Lord Tim Clement-Jones told reporters: “This is a modest Bill but one which I believe will have a major impact on the performance and enjoyment of live music, the livelihood especially of young musicians and the viability of our pubs and clubs’”
So if you are a planning an event with live music and require further information on whether the Live Music Bill will have an affect on your event, then contact Kitsons' Licensing Team by clicking here, or by telephoning 01803 202020.