Live music restrictions to be lifted in pubs
Pubs and clubs barred from hosting live music because they don’t hold an entertainment license will be able to do so after the government announced imminent plans to deregulate the industry.
The move is intended to stimulate grassroots music in the UK by removing bureaucratic hurdles which have brought about a 5% decline in the playing of music in pubs and clubs since the 2003 Licensing Act – which incurred an average charge of £1,600 per year on venues.
Feargal Sharkey, chief executive of UK Music, said: “We're optimistic that this will be positive news for the industry, and especially for emerging talent."
He added: "I'd wager that all of yesterday's Mercury music prize nominees started their careers playing in pubs or clubs. In the meantime, we'll have to wait for the actual detail of the consultation, and under what specific circumstances the requirement for a music licence would be removed.”
Venues with a capacity of more than 5,000 will continue to be subject to regulation.
Image taken by Phil Reed.