Licensing reform boosting live music in pubs a year on

Changes to the laws governing live music at licensed premises have encouraged increased uptake at small venues, research has revealed.

A study conducted by Ipsos Mori for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport showed an increase in the number of hotels, pubs and restaurants, registered to put on gigs, a year after the licensing shake-up.

With the advent of the Licensing Act 2003 last November the “two in a bar rule”, which meant a public entertainment licence was required if more than two artists performed at licensed premises during an evening, was abolished.

In its place a unified licensing system encompassing alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment was introduced.

The Ipsos Mori poll of 2,000 licensed businesses with capacities of 500 or fewer, revealed the new system had been a hit across the board, but especially with the 900-plus publicans surveyed where 31% now had a licence for live music for the first time.

For more see Caterer and Hotelkeeper this week (14, December).

DCMS website >>

One year on, are the new licensing laws working? >>

Scottish pub association warns licensing proposals will cost pubs' millions >>

By Chris Druce

E-mail your comments to Chris Druce here.

Get your copy of Caterer and Hotelkeeper every week - click here to subscribe and save 25%.