The House of Lords yesterday forced four amendments on the government's licensing overhaul. The good news is the move is likely to protect some live entertainment in pubs, which musicians feared would become expensive and impossible under new legislation. The bad news is late night drinking licenses, also lumped in the same bill, will now be further delayed.
If the propaganda is to believed the first amendment may have an interesting impact of students' union entertainments. Peers were unhappy that new licenses for public performances would be required by schools putting on plays or orchestra/choir events - adding an extra cost and inconvenience to those in the education sector. The government argued that providing the ticket price for these events only covered production costs schools would be exempt, but peers weren't convinced asking for educational establishments to be exempt altogether. The government claims doing so would allow university based clubs, societies and unions to organise events (including clubs and gigs) without a license - though in reality the Lord's amendment probably wouldn't make licensing law that slack it may allow unions to classify some events as educational and therefore sidestep new licensing rules.
Elsewhere peers said new rules that made pubs apply for licenses for live music should only apply to 'amplified music' - they hope this will reduce the burden on pubs and musicians who worried the new rules would destroy an important live music infrastructure. The other amendments included the introduction of a central authority to administer licensees and the addition of "protecting the amenity and environment of local residents" to be added to local licensing authority's list of responsibilities.