The Stage

Government publishes plans to cut entertainment licensing

Published Monday 12 September 2011 at 13:30 by Alistair Smith

The government has published proposals to scrap many of the licensing regulations that campaigners claim are stifling live entertainment in the UK.

The move was first mooted by tourism minister John Penrose in May of this year, as revealed by The Stage, and the proposals have now been put out to consultation.

Plans involve cutting regulation on sectors including travelling circuses, small-scale live music performances and even licensing for theatre performance with audiences of less than 5,000.

However, the government has stressed that it will not consider relaxing regulations for any events with audiences of more than 5,000 people, boxing and wrestling, and anything classed as sexual entertainment.

With the exception of those areas, the consulation will consider cutting licensing in all other live entertainment sectors covered by the Licensing Act 2003.

Penrose said that current entertainment licensing rules were “a mess” and he wanted to “set a match to all this nonsense, and trust sensible people to act sensibly, with regulation retained only where rightly needed to keep audiences and performances safe.”

He added: “Before we press ahead, it’s important we get the views of those working in the industry, and to make sure that the principles of public safety, prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm are safeguarded.

“Our starting point is a simple one: if there’s no good reason for any of the rules and restrictions in this important area, our presumption should be to scrap them.”

The consultation is available at www.culture.gov.uk/consultations and is open until December 3.

Christine Payne, general secretary of Equity, commented on the government’s plans: “We commend these proposals as a visionary solution to a long running problem in the live entertainment sector. Freeing up venues to put on plays, live music, dance performances and film will provide a much needed boost for our communities, it will help to create more opportunities for artists and will enable young performers to get the exposure needed to kickstart their careers.”