Minister sparks concern over live music reform

A government minister has warned of the "unintended consequences" of relaxing the licensing of live music, sparking frustration and concern of watered down reforms.

Tory John Penrose, the minister responsible for entertainment licensing, argued last week there were "real risks" around live music.

He admitted for the first time publicly in a Westminster Hall debate this week other government departments - the Home Office and the Department for Work and Pensions - will have to sign off any changes.

Live music campaigners, trade groups - and The Publican​ through our Listen Up! initiative - have long been arguing for a licence exemption for pubs with a capacity of 200 or fewer.

And the coalition agreement states: "We will cut red tape to encourage the performance of more live music."

But Penrose said: "There are real risks associated with live entertainment of one kind or another, simply because it can involve a large number of people in a comparatively small space," said Penrose.

"There are therefore concerns about health and safety, the disturbance caused by people arriving at and leaving a venue, public order and so on."

However, Tory MP John Whittingdale voiced his frustration over talk of public safety concerns around live music and said he would "disappointed" if the reforms were watered down.

"We have always believed the argument around public safety is a false one. There are already laws in place to cover that."

Whittingdale is chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport committee which previously recommended the licensing around live music be relaxed - to include an exemption for venues with a capacity below 200.

Martin Rawlings, the British Beer & Pub Association's director of pub and leisure, said: "I really don't understand why there's been so much angst and it's taken so much time over something so simple."

Live music campaigner Hamish Birchall said the only justification for "pre-emptively criminalising" live music is where there is a risk of a negative impact on a local community.

"This is clearly not the case for the vast majority of small gigs taking place within reasonable hours," he said.

Pete Walters, licensee at the Wheel Inn, in Pennington, Hampshire, which has been prevented from hosting live music said: "I would welcome it if the rules were relaxed."

A Department for Culture Media and Sport spokesman said an announcement on the proposal was expected in the next six weeks.