Live music licensing changes go ahead despite protests
The government is to press ahead with plans to allow venues to play live music without a licence where the audience is less than 100-strong, despite concerns among local authority leaders that the move will see noise complaints soar.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport insisted the exemption from the Licensing Act would make it easier for a wide range of venues to put on live music and help musicians play in front of a live audience.
Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: “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.”
As a safeguard, the minister added, the exemption can be revoked at individual premises if there have been problems with noise, nuisance or disorder. It will also apply only to performances that are indoors and take place between 8 am and 11 pm.
The DCMS said residents and responsible authorities such as the police would have “the power to call for an exemption to be revoked” if there were concerns about a particular venue.
The government’s announcement was welcomed by licensees. 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.”
But the Local Government Association attacked the plans. Cllr Chris White, chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, argued that being able to get a good night’s sleep was just as much part of having a good quality of life as being able to go out and enjoy music.
The LGA described the further amendments as “pointless”, suggesting that changes to the Licensing Act were unnecessary as venues could make use of the ‘incidental music’ exemption and the ‘minor variations’ process.
White added: “The size of an audience is not a good way of judging the likely impact of an event. There could be considerable noise and disturbance from a heavy metal gig attended by only 20 people at a local pub, while an audience of 250 listening to a jazz band in a remote village hall could create minimal difficulty.”
A recent poll of 213 council licensing officers conducted by the LGA found that 9 out of 10 thought the proposals would lead to an increase in complaints about noise and nuisance.
