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The Licensing Act 2003, Proposal to De-Regulate Regulated Entertainment
The Licensing Act 2003 brought together numerous outdated licensing related regimes and created a single Act that controlled alcohol supply and sale, late night refreshment and regulated entertainment. Unfortunately, parts of the Act created new problems for those wishing to hold entertainment events.
The Government is therefore proposing a reform of activities currently classed under the Act as “regulated entertainment”.
The 2003 Act lacks continuity and certainty regarding the types of entertainment that need to be licensed. For example, a licence is required for the staging of an opera but is not necessary for a stock car race. Similarly, an athletics meeting will require a licence if it is held indoors but not if it is held outdoors. A travelling circus will generally need a permit whereas a travelling funfair does not. The proposed de-regulation of Schedule 1 of the Act should reduce bureaucratic burden, cut costs and allow greater community of expression particularly for fund raising events, amateur dramatics and other work undertaken by the voluntary and community sector.
The principal changes will effect indoor sport, the playing of recorded music and theatre and dance performances as the Government believes that these activities do not need to be regulated for venues with fewer than 5000 spectators. The exceptions are boxing and wrestling which will continue to be licensed.
The closing date for responding to the Government consultation was the 3rd December 2011 and the Government will publish their response in due course.
For further information, please contact Rebecca Thomas, Head of Licensing at Seddons on 020 7725 8059 or rebecca.thomas@seddons.co.uk.