The House of Lords have forced another change on the government's licensing legislation which will probably see venues with a capacity of 250 or less exempt from new rules governing live music. It will mean small venues will be able to stage live music without a specific licence providing the show is over by 11.30pm.
But, while government spokesman Lord McIntosh of Haringey agreed concessions would probably have to be made on the parts of the new act governing live music, he dismissed the Lord's amendments as being too general and wide ranging and said he expected the Commons to reject the changes.
What this means is the licensing legislation is likely to drag on even more – which is good if it rescues the pub live music circuit, but it delay those 24 hour pub licences even longer!