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Live Music Act changed to help small venues
Wednesday 3rd October 2012 | Liam
New Live Music Act enables small businesses to provide live music without all the bureaucracy and red tape
A new Live Music Act has been brought in to enable small venues in England and Wales ‘to grow’ in what could be one of the most progressive policies to come from this coalition so far. Unsurprisingly, it’s been influenced by the more left-leaning side of government (so they got something in at last!).
The change of law, introduced through a private member's bill and instigated by Lib Dem Bath MP Don Foster in order to 'amend the 2003 Licensing Act, means that venues and establishments with capacities of less than 200 will be free to put on gigs without being hampered by all that aggravating bureaucracy they have previously faced. The only catch is that music must be played between 8am and 11pm (cuh! Bloody squares!).
It is estimated that the doors will now open for up to 13,000 new venues across the UK, from bus stations to doctors’ surgery waiting rooms. But of course not everyone is so chuffed with the news. Lisa Lavia of the Noise Abatement Society said there will be a ‘dramatic rise’ in noise complaints ‘that will set residents at odds with local businesses.’ But no one could hear her because she was making this statement during an impromptu Metallica gig inside a beauty salon in Dalston.
If you’re unsure about more smaller venues in the UK perhaps the following video will inform you of the dangers of venues that are just too big.
By Liam McKenna
