Steve Brine has welcomed the easing of entertainment regulations, and said that as a result more people should be able to enjoy local artists right on their doorstep.
In late 2011, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport launched a consultation into reforming the regime that regulates many public and charitable entertainment activities.
Minister for Sport and Tourism, Hugh Robertson MP, said: "The consultation was launched after many years of calls to reduce unnecessary regulation arising from the 2003 Licensing Act for low risk activities that hamper cultural and community creativity, restrict charities and prevent small businesses from diversifying.
"These activities, and the many of the organisations and institutions that host them, play a pivotal role in our communities. We are determined to ensure that needless bureaucracy does not restrict these kinds of positive contribution to society. This is why we announced our intention to act in the Coalition Programme for Government, the Growth Review, the Red Tape Challenge, and in the Departmental Business Plan for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport."
The consultation received a very full response - around 1350 responses - and the Department has examined every comment carefully.
This consultation has played a full part in shaping future policy. Its key findings were that there was considerable support for deregulation, but that certain protections needed to be retained, including an 11pm end time for deregulated performance, and, in most circumstances, a lower audience cap than was originally proposed.
The new policy for entertainment is outlined below:
- Performance of plays: no longer requires a licence between 08:00-23:00 for audiences of up to 500 people
- Performance of dance: no longer requires a licence between 08:00-23:00 for audiences of up to 500 people
- Indoor sport: no longer requires a licence from 08:00-23:00 for audiences of up to 1000 people
- Live music has already been partially deregulated under the Live Music Act 2012, which came into force on 1 October 2012, with the following effect: 1) unamplified live music deregulated between 08:00-23:00 with no restrictions on audiences size; 2) amplified live music deregulated between 08:00-23:00 in premises licensed for sale and supply of alcohol, and in certain workplaces.
- The Government will, additionally, retain the key protections of the Live Music Act 2012, but raise the permitted audience ceiling from 200 to 500, in on-licensed premises and workplaces in line with the most other deregulated activities
- Recorded music: in line with live music deregulation, regulation for recorded music (mainly discos and DJs) will be suspended between 08:00-23:00 in premises licensed for the sale and supply of alcohol. This measure, like live music deregulation, is subject to controls from the local licence Review process.
- The Government also intends to exempt from most forms of entertainment licensing: Community venues (including local authority); Schools; Nurseries; Hospitals and Circuses.
- Film exhibition: the Government will consult in the coming months on detailed proposals to partially deregulate community film exhibition whilst maintaining important age restriction protections for children.
A lover of live music, Steve Brine said: "Plays, performances, concerts and gigs in local venues are an important part of what gives a community its character and makes it a great place to live, as well as giving artists opportunities to perform and develop. This easing of the entertainment regulations is good news."
Mr Robertson added: "We will bring the measures into effect as the Parliamentary timetable allows."