Christopher BarrettEvent and venues operators have welcomed the Government announcement today, 9 October, that it will launch a fast-track review to ‘tear up’ outdated licensing rules.
Earlier this year, live music industry association LIVE was asked to sit on a taskforce to develop proposals to deliver more business-friendly licensing of venues and events. In August, the Government responded by published the Licensing Taskforce report in which it accepted the majority of LIVE’s recommendations.
Proposals to be taken forward include the introduction of a National Licensing Policy Framework; to deliver a more consistent, transparent and pro-growth licensing system; and to review licence lengths and fees for festivals.
Today, the Government has launched a call for evidence as part of its licensing review aimed at enabling more events with fewer pointless restrictions. It said the shake-up could lead to more live music events, and fewer hoops to jump through for venues.
“This review is about cutting red tape, boosting footfall, and making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “This review is about cutting red tape, boosting footfall, and making it easier for venues to put on the kind of events that bring people together. When our locals do well, our economy does too.”
“Today’s call for evidence is the next step towards a stronger, more stable and enabling trading environment across the country,” said LIVE CEO Jon Collins. “This is exactly the sort of positive, business boosting work we were looking to flow from our sector’s inclusion in the Industrial Strategy. A positive recognition of the role of live music, greater protection from spurious complaints and an improved ability to plan longer term will all allow us to do more, delight more and deliver economic growth”.
Among the others to welcome the licensing consultation announcement was Night Time Industries Association CEO Michael Kill. He said, “It is encouraging to see that the majority of the recommendations from the Licensing Sprint are being considered, and that this fast-track review will give industry operators, landlords, and communities a genuine opportunity to help shape the future of licensing in the UK.”