Hackney Council postpones controversial review of club licensing regulation

Controversial plans to clamp down on new venues and bars in the London borough of Hackney are on hold after the council there said it had discovered a "minor error" in its proposals. Current licensing rules, originally due to expire next January, will be kept in place until a new consultation on reform is completed sometime next year. London promoters and clubbers had expressed concerns about the planned licensing reforms, which included a cut back on late night opening at bars and clubs, and a move to stop licensing new clubbing venues in Shoreditch entirely. Local music businesses argued that this would hugely hinder the night-time economy that has become so important to this part of the capital.

the local authority's Licensing Chair Emma Plouviez said: "Unfortunately there was a minor error in the published consultation document. Although this was not related to the part of the consultation affecting nightclub opening hours, which is what we know has caused the most concern, we want to ensure that everyone who takes the time to respond to any council consultation can have confidence that they did so with the full facts" adding "We needed to decide whether to correct the mistake and extend the current consultation, or take the opportunity to take a step back and re-consult on a new draft policy that we hope both residents and businesses will be able to support".

UK Music call for Licensing Act input

Cross sector trade body UK Music is calling on players from across the music industry to contribute to a previously reported government consultation on proposals to deregulate elements of the 2003 Licensing Act, proposals which could greatly reduce the bureaucratic strain on live music promoters, especially at the grass roots end of the market. More details about the consultation and how to respond, plus some template response letters should they be required, are online here: http://www.ukmusic.org/policy/currentconsultations/licensingact2003

UK government announces licensing reforms

The UK’s coalition government has announced plans to reform the country’s much criticised Licensing Act to do away with the ‘red tape’ that many says stifles the development of grass roots music. The Tourism Minister, John Penrose, said that in the future only events of over 5000 people or those that sell alcohol or where there is adult entertainment will need licences with Penrose saying “the current regime makes it harder for new talent to get a chance to perform In front of audiences and imposes a deadweight cost on small businesses and voluntary bodies who want to put on shows” adding “live entertainment is a good thing: it improves our cultural life and should be encouraged, not stifled by the clammy hand of bureaucracy” promising that proper controls on alcohol, health and safety and noise nuisance would remain.