Licence reform 'benefits few music pubs'
Just three instances are known of the new minor licence variations process being used to let a venue host live music.
A further three examples are known of the process being used to "ease the conditions" at premises that already host live music. The process has been flagged up by the Government as way for venues to get licensed for hosting live music.
The news came from Lord Davies of Oldham in the House of Lords in response to a question by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones, who is pushing for an easing of exemptions through his Live Music Bill.
The minor variations process was introduced in July 2009 and was billed a simpler way to make changes to licences that don't impact on the licensing objectives.
Lord Davies said official data on the use of minor variations are not available.
But he revealed that the Government has asked local government co-ordinator LACORS to survey councils about the process being used for live music.
"LACORS has informed the department that, although it has not conducted an exhaustive survey, it is aware of six examples of applications being made that include requests to add or extend authorisation for live music.
"There were three requests for the easing of conditions relating to an existing authorisation for live music, and three for new authorisations for live music.
"All these applications were granted. LACORS is not aware of any minor variation application relating to live music that has been refused."
Clement-Jones' Live Music Bill wants venues to be exempt from needing a live music licence if their capacity is under 200. It also wants a return of the two-in-a-bar rule.
