Pubs, clubs and other venues with a capacity of less than 200 no longer need a licence for live amplified music. This follows a government move to free small businesses from the red tape that restricts their freedom to trade as they wish.
It is estimated that this will allow 13,000 more venues to hold live music events between the hours of 8am and 11pm. In addition, live unamplified music can now be played in any location. The move has proved popular with musicians and business owners but not everyone is happy with the scrapping of restriction.
Jazz musician Buster Birch welcomed the government move, saying that it is a “huge thing” and that live music is “very important to our culture.” On the other hand, Lisa Lavia of the Noise Abatement Society fears it will result in an increase in complaints and will “set residents at odds with local businesses.”
The move comes as part of a government initiative to eventually scrap or relax a total of 3,000 regulations currently applying to businesses. It is hoped that the removal of the red tape will make it easier for people to start and run a business and provide a boost to the economy.
The scrapping of the red tape relating to live music was introduced via a private member’s bill steered through parliament by Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster on behalf of his House of Lords colleague Lord Clement Jones. It takes the form of an amendment to the Licensing Act of 2003. Business Minister Michael Fallon described the previous restrictions as “over-the-top bureaucracy that stifles community groups and pubs.”
The new rule does not apply to larger gatherings or to venues such as lap-dancing clubs which are covered by separate legislation.
Do you welcome the new freedom small venues have to stage live music events or are you concerned about the possible increase in noise in your locality? Share your thoughts with us below.
About time! Had to tweet this.
Thanks Andrea.