Government's Licensing Proposals Met with Support from Live Music Venues and Trust Association
Government Embraces Licensing Reforms to Boost Music and Events Industry
The UK government has welcomed a report by Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, and Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, on licensing reforms, signaling a significant shift towards modernizing and streamlining the licensing regime for festivals, venues, and events.
Jon Collins, in his statement, praised the positive, business-friendly measures in the government's response, indicating a positive outlook towards the government's approach to the report. Steve Lamacq, also associated with LIVE, shared similar sentiments.
The heart of the government's response lies in the creation of a National Licensing Policy Framework. This framework aims to provide statutory consistency and harmonize licensing policies across local authorities, while preserving local decision-making and application determinations. The goal is to address imbalances in how licensing laws are applied and better recognize the cultural, social, and economic benefits of licensed premises.
Another key recommendation is the review of temporary event notice limits for festivals and events. This move is designed to provide greater flexibility for operators, allowing for a better balance between regulation and operational needs in festival licensing.
The government also proposes strengthening the 'agent of change' principle in licensing decisions. This principle protects established venues from the impacts of nearby developments that might otherwise impose restrictive licensing conditions or threaten their operation. This would ensure that new developments are responsible for managing potential nuisance impacts rather than penalizing existing venues.
Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, believes these recommendations will help protect, secure, and improve grassroots music venues. He also supports reviews of grandfather clauses and a practical approach to temporary event notices.
The changes proposed by the government are expected to benefit venues, events, and festivals significantly, potentially leading to growth in the music and events industry. Jon Collins believes that these changes will result in more joy, more vibrancy, and crucially, growth.
The licensing regime rebalancing, as proposed by the government, will retain necessary protections while opening up new opportunities for venues, events, and festivals. The reforms are subject to further consultation and implementation details.
The organization LIVE, which was recently profiled in Music Week, is involved in the Licensing Taskforce report. Mark Davyd warmly welcomes the government's response to the report, expressing his delight at working with the government on the Licensing Taskforce report.
In conclusion, the government's response to the Licensing Taskforce report marks a promising step towards modernizing and streamlining the licensing regime, with the potential to significantly benefit the music and events industry.
- Jon Collins, the CEO of LIVE, and Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, have advocated for changes in the licensing regime that could potentially extend to other sectors, such as fashion-and-beauty events, food-and-drink festivals, travel expos, and car shows.
- The proposed National Licensing Policy Framework, part of the government's response to the Licensing Taskforce report, may pave the way for a more balanced approach to licensing in various sectors, including lifestyle events, travel events, and car shows.
