The Live Music Forum
Bulletins
Friday 8th July 2005 - None in a bar from 24th November
On 24 November 'two in a bar' becomes essentially 'none in a bar'.
There is less than a month to go for venues already promoting two in a bar gigs
to benefit from the 'two for the price of one' offer for a live music and alcohol
licence. By 06 August, venues wishing to continue such gigs after 24 November
must make what is in practice, if not in name, a public entertainment licence
application alongside their alcohol licence conversion. Applications for live
music made later, using this 'variation' process, will incur another licence
fee, more advertising costs, plus possible legal representation at a public
hearing to consider objections, and licence conditions.
How does the government justify 'none in a bar'? The answer is: noise.
"The 'two in a bar' rule is being discontinued.... The Government believes
this rule in practice restricts what entertainment will be
provided, creates disincentives to the presentation of more diverse musical
acts and fails to protect local residents from noise nuisance. The new regime
will allow musicians and other entertainers to flourish whilst providing protection
against unnecessary disturbance."
DCMS website - Alcohol and Entertainment, then 4th para under 'Regulated Entertainment'.
http://www.culture.gov.uk/alcohol_and_entertainment/licensing_act_2003/regulated_entertainment.htm
Note the absence of references to public safety, crime, and disorder.
This government notoriously insists on 'evidence-based policy'. Where, then,
is the evidence that two in a bar gigs are a significant source of disturbance?
Answer: there isn't any.
Indeed, all the evidence points to noisy punters outside bars as by far the
biggest source of disturbance. In 2002, the Noise Abatement Society confirmed
that this accounted for 80% of complaints about pubs.
The remaining 20% appears to down to recorded music or noisy machinery. But,
irrespective of entertainment licensing, local authorities have the power to
confiscate noisy equipment immediately, and they can issue anticipatory or reactive
noise abatement notices. Camden council used a noise abatement notice to shut
down the West End show Umoja in 2002. One resident's complaints were enough.
Since 2001 the police have had the power to shut rowdy pubs immediately for
up to 24 hours.
You might consider asking your MP what evidence the government has that two
in a bar performances are a significant source of disturbance.
Hamish Birchall
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