15/01/2010 - Licensing laws 'stifling musicians'
The Liberal Democrats are pushing to make gigs in small cafes and bars exempt from live music licensing laws.
The party has urged the Government to allow venues to put on music for less than 200 people without applying for a licence. The Licensing Act 2003 is "stifling" young talent with red tape, according to culture spokesman Lord Clement-Jones. Young musicians are unable to develop their talents as current laws are harming small venues, he said.
Liberal Democrats do not believe that the Government's plans to exempt venues with an audience of less than 100 people from Act for gigs held indoors between 8am and 11pm go for enough. The party wants to see the "two in a bar" rule return, allowing venues of any size to host unamplified music by one or two people.
During a second reading debate of the Live Music Bill in the Lords, Lord Clement-Jones said his proposals were backed by the pub trade and music unions, as well as by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.
The Bill would "nurture creativity, cut back bureaucracy, save costs to small venue owners and eliminate the inconsistenties and absurdities of the Licensing Act", he said.
The Bill gained an unopposed second reading but without Government support is unlikely to become law.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
Related links
|
