Licensing Bill amendment

by Richard Williams of thePublican.com's legal team of experts from solicitors Joelson Wilson​

Following consultation with faith groups, the government tabled an amendment to the Licensing Bill on February 3, exempting secular entertainment provided in places of public religious worship from the scope of the bill. Such premises will not be required to obtain a licence.

As the law currently stands, the provision of secular entertainment within Greater London is licensable, while outside Greater London it is not. Music for the purposes of - or incidental to - a religious service or meeting is already exempt from the licensing requirements of the bill.

The government also clarified that church halls, chapel halls and other buildings occupied in connection with a place of public religious worship as well as village, parish and community halls would not be required to pay a fee for a premises licence, provided that the sale of alcohol was not authorised by the licence, in which case the normal fee would be payable.

Guidance issued by the Secretary of State will make it clear that such places should have limited conditions attached to their licences, proportionate to the possible risks of nuisance, public safety and crime and disorder involved.

The government indicated that it hoped religious institutions, music societies and community groups will derive great benefit from the proposed exemptions contained in the bill, which would "foster live music" and opportunities for musicians to perform. Clearly, the Musicians' Union does not share the government's view.