PEL plan poses a threat to live music in pubs

Live music in pubs could become a thing of the past if the government's plans for licensing reform go ahead.

Stuart Neame, vice chairman of Kent-brewer Shepherd Neame and an outspoken campaigner against the reform plans, believes proposals to scrap public entertainment licences (PEL) will mean the end of live music.

Under the reform plans PELs will be dropped. Instead, the details of a pub's permitted entertainment will be included on its premises licence.

But Mr Neame believes local authorities will be reluctant to allow pubs to hold live music events because of the risk of noise nuisance.

And, because the "two in a bar" rule that allows one or two musicians to perform in a pub without a PEL will also be scrapped, Mr Neame said many pubs would not be allowed to hold live music events.

Unless a licensee had thought about holding music events in advance and included entertainment in their licence application any number of performers would be breaking the law.

Last month licensing minister Dr Kim Howells told the House of Commons about the plans.

He said: "This is because one or two live musicians using powerful microphones and amplifiers can make more noise and so generate more nuisance for local residents than those without."

But Mr Neame said this showed an underlying negative attitude towards pubs.

Hamish Birchall from the Campaign for Live Music agreed. He said: "We are very concerned at the moment. We need reassurance and we're seeking a meeting with the minister on that. It seems ridiculous that under the proposals it would even be illegal to have an acoustic guitar player in a pub."

Related articles:​

Local authorities blasted for PEL rip-off (21 May 2002)

Westminster council hits out at 'heavy-handed' PEL criticism (9 May 2002)

Westminster Council PEL action 'heavy-handed' (25 April 2002)

MP calls for scrapping of 'ridiculous' PELs (8 March 2002)