Government could be forced to back down over live music

The government could be forced to back down over the issue of live music in pubs following a House of Lords stand over the Licensing Bill.

Last week the House of Lords defied the government by adding an amendment to the bill to make exempt premises where live music plays to an audience of less than 200 and finishes before 11.30pm.

The fear for many licensees and performers is that scrapping the existing two-in-a-bar rule, which allows up to two performers to appear in pubs without the need for a licence, could be costly and would spell the end of live music in pubs.

This is a blow to the government, which wanted to scrap the existing two-in-a-bar rule and bring all pubs into line. The government is anxiously trying to find a compromise deal which would meet ministers' concerns about noise and public safety while also preserving traditional entertainment in pubs.

As the Lords will have the final vote on the bill, MPs are expected to be asked to agree a compromise on entertainment this week in order to get the bill past its final hurdle before Royal Assent.

Conservative culture spokeswoman Lady Buscombe said the government's concerns about safety and noise were already met by existing legislation.

Liberal Democrats peer Lord Redesdale, a folk music enthusiast, said: "We're being robust about this because there are implications for human rights and for live music all over the country."

Mark Hastings, spokesman for the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "The government will not want the Lords amendment to go through in its current form. But clearly, nobody wants to see the licensing bill fail, so a compromise is very likely.

"What is gratifying is that the trade has managed to have its voice heard on these key issues at the eleventh hour."

Register of Interests​

The government has already backed down on plans to allow residents to object to new licensed premises even after a provisional licence has been granted. The trade feared the uncertainty would make new developments too risky for the property industry.

The Lords has also got its way by insisting that a register of interests be maintained in order to allow pub companies to play a part in dealing with problem premises. The government accepted an amendment from the upper house ensuring that pub operators can continue to register an interest on the licence, as at present.