Noise fears over music law change for pubs and bars
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 12:27 AM on 12th December 2009
Allowing pubs and bars to put on live music without the need for a licence would mean a massive in complaints about noise, council leaders warned yesterday.
Nine out of 10 council licensing officers said they believed that relaxing the rules for venues would lead to an increase in complaints about noise and nuisance according to a poll by the Local Government Association Group (LGA).
More than half said they expected the increase to be considerable.
The Government is proposing an exemption to the 2003 Licensing Act which would allow bars, clubs and cafes to put on live music for fewer than 100 people without the need for a licence.
Councillors are worried this could lead to cafes and bars staging noisy events without local residents being able to have a say.
Cllr Chris White, chair of the LGA’s culture, tourism and sport board, said: ‘Being able to go out and enjoy music and other entertainment is all part of having a good quality of life, but so is being able to get a good night’s sleep.
‘Families should be able to put their children to bed in peace, and be able to relax in their homes without being disturbed by noise from licensed premises.
‘The size of an audience is not a good way of judging the likely impact of an event. There could be considerable noise and disturbance from a heavy metal gig attended by only 20 people at a local pub, while an audience of 250 listening to a jazz band in a remote village hall could create minimal difficulty.
‘Bars and pubs are often good neighbours and the majority will want to know people living nearby are not disturbed by their business. Locals are valuable customers, after all.
‘Common sense measures to allow pubs and bars to put on live music with a minimum of bureaucracy are already in place and make further amendments pointless.’
The LGA Group argues that further changes to the Act are unnecessary.
Councils are making businesses more aware of new rules which mean they can add live music to existing licences very simply.
The ‘minor variations’ process allows bars and clubs to add entertainment to their licence by filling in an application form and putting a notice up outside for 10 working days. The licensing authority responds within 15 days.
The process allows venues to introduce live music but gives consideration to what impact there might be for people living nearby, a spokesman said.
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: ‘We will consult shortly on this proposal and all parties will have the opportunity to make their views known.’