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LGA opposes relaxation of licensing laws
Tue 15 Dec 2009
The Local Government Association (LGA) has insisted that licensing laws regarding the staging of live music do not need to be relaxed.
Bars and clubs are currently required to apply for a licence if they wish to put on a band for less than 100 people.
However, the government is currently considering the possibility of exempting smaller venues from this legal requirement.
The LGA believes that if this exemption goes ahead, people who live near to affected bars and clubs could stand to lose out.
Councillor Chris White, chairman of the culture, tourism and sport board, said families are likely to be disturbed by noise from licensed premises.
He also warned that the size of the audience does not necessarily influence the likely impact of an event.
For example, he said a heavy metal concert attended by 20 people would create more noise and disruption than a crowd of 250 music fans going to see a jazz band.
UK Music chief executive Feargal Sharkey criticised the LGA for its attitude, arguing that live music generates fewer noise-related complaints than burglar alarms and barking dogs.
The former Undertones frontman told the Publican that the organisation is not basing its arguments on rational fact and legitimate research.
