Reform could switch live music off

Campaigners have spoken out against proposals for licensing reform which they claim could mean the end of live music in pubs.

There is concern that plans for dual licensing, with separate personal and premises licences, would mean any pub wanting to put on live music would have to say so when submitting a licence application - leaving no provision for spontaneous live events.

It is also feared that licensing authorities may place onerous conditions on pubs applying to host live bands, such as sound-proofing or capacity limits, which could put many licensees off the idea.

Speaking at a meeting this week, Dave Silk, who is leading the campaign to keep live music in pubs, said: "It may mean that there is no live music in pubs unless licensees sign up to it in advance."

His fellow campaigners also spoke out against the high fees charged for Public Entertainment Licences (PELs) under the current system. At the London meeting, campaigner Louise Denny expressed concerns about the high cost of these licences and the different fees charged by local authorities. "The poorer the councils, the more you pay for live music," she said.

Ivor Widdison, chairman of Jazz Services, warned that fees under the new licensing system, which will be set by the government, may also be high. He said: "With one national rate, the danger is it could be a very high rate."

But Chris Wroe, who is the head of licensing at Greenwich Council, said he believed the new regime could actually help live music in pubs because it removes the need to apply for a separate entertainment licence.