Landlords Toast Live Music Bill

Thousands of UK pub landlords and small venue operators might be raising a glass to celebrate no longer having to go through the rigmarole and expense of obtaining an entertainment license.

It’s no longer necessary after the Live Music Bill passed its third reading and report stage in the House Of Lords Jan. 20.

The bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat Peer Tim Clement-Jones and promoted in the House Of Commons by Bath MP Don Foster, should now obtain Royal Assent and proceed to the statute book.

“It will make a real and positive difference to the lives of musicians,” said Jo Dipple, acting chief executive of UK Music, the UK commercial music industry’s umbrella body.

“There is no doubt that the current Licensing Act has created needless layers of bureaucracy – making it complicated and expensive for pubs and other small venues to host live gigs.”

Musicians’ Union general secretary John Smith said the exemptions provided in the new bill will be hugely beneficial to small venues and musicians starting out on their careers.

The changes to the old Licensing Act mean venues with capacities of less than 200 will no longer be required to have a license to stage music events between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.