Lords to debate music in pubs
The impact of the Licensing Act on live music in pubs is set to receive a full debate in the House of Lords.
The Liberal Democrats are to force a Lords debate over new rules for small live-music events, including the scrapping of the "two in a bar" rule.
The party is disappointed that updated licensing guidance failed to address stringent new rules for the provision of music in pubs, bars and other premises.
The Licensing Act abolished old rules that meant live music acts involving up to two performers did not need to be licensed. Many small-scale live events have had to be cancelled and others have been hampered by a range of restrictions, thanks to the new licensing laws.
A Lords motion, tabled by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement Jones, will attempt to obtain further clarification on what is meant by "incidental music", which the party regards as ambiguous.
A party spokesman described current legislation as "too broad", as it allowed local councils to place different interpretations on the licensing requirements.
Licensing solicitor Jeremy Allen said any live music now had to be licensed, giving local authorities the opportunity to impose a variety of onerous conditions on premises wishing to hold events.
"It is not expected that the Lords debate will change anything, but the problems hampering small-scale live-music events in pubs may now get a full debate," he said.
The Live Music Forum, the organisation set up to monitor the impact of the legislation, has made 28 different recommendations to liberalise the current licensing regime.
Its suggestions include exempting venues with fewer than 100 people from needing a licence for live music, and scrapping the need for music licences for acoustic gigs.
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