Stop "criminalising" live music, government told
A petition has been launched on the 10 Downing Street website calling for the government to stop "criminalising" live music and offer licensing exemptions to small venues.
The petition, launched yesterday, has already attracted 150 signatures.
It wants the Prime Minister to back recommendations made recently by MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport committee. These included restoring the two-in-a-bar rule and offering a licensing exemption for live music to venues with a capacity of 200 or less.
The petition questions why amplified big screen broadcast are not licensable, when live music is.
It reads: "Under the Licensing Act, a performance by one musician in a bar, restaurant, school or hospital not licensed for live music could lead to a criminal prosecution of those organising the event.
"Even a piano may count as a licensable 'entertainment facility'. By contrast, amplified big screen broadcast entertainment is exempt.
"The government says the Act is necessary to control noise nuisance, crime, disorder and public safety, even though other laws already deal with those risks.
It adds that exemptions called for by MPs would "restore some fairness in the regulation of live music and encourage grassroots venues".
