Lib Dem peer proposes exemptions to live music licensing

The Bill proposes exempting venues from the need to have a licence to host live music events if the attendance is below 200 people. It also seeks to exempt from licensing the playing of unamplified music where no alcohol is served.

Lord Clement Jones has resurrected his private member's bill and it has had its first reading in the House of Lords. That is the first stage of the legislative process for any proposed law, but private members bills rarely become law without the grant of extra Parliamentary time that Government support brings.

The Bill attempts to implement some of the recommendations of a 2009 report from the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, which said that licensing conditions were stifling live music.

"We are concerned at the linkage of live music and public order issues by the Licensing Act and its accompanying guidance, and we emphasise that music should not automatically be treated as a disruptive activity which will inevitably lead to nuisance and disorder," said that report.

"To encourage the performance of live music we recommend that the Government should exempt venues with a capacity of 200 persons or fewer from the need to obtain a licence for the performance of live music. We further recommend the reintroduction of the two-in-a-bar exemption, enabling venues of any size to put on a performance of non-amplified music by one or two musicians," it said.

A date has not been set for the Bill's second reading.