The Musicians Union have warned that new licensing legislation – which will require pubs to have an entertainments licence in order to stage even the simplest live music – will threaten an important circuit of small live music venues. They predict many venues may be forced to abandon live music to avoid the trouble and expense of getting the licence.
“The music industry relies on small, local, informal music-making", MU Advisor Hamish Birchall told the BBC. There are very few pubs and bars hosting live bands and we think it should be normal to enjoy live music in local venues as part of everyday life. I don't think this will make it any better, I think it could make it worse."
Government officials insist that as part of the overhaul they will simplify the process of obtaining an entertainments licence, and remove the current fees structure making it cheap and easy to do. But musicians point out that some councils insist that pubs and bars with entertainment licences employ bouncers and install closed circuit television – many pubs won’t be able to afford to meet such conditions.