Boost for live music venues  

I know that people really want to see the Government taking action to cut red tape and bureaucracy, particularly when it gets in the way of voluntary groups and organisations from putting on events. One of the issues that has often come up in the last two years has been the requirement for small venues wanting to host live music events to obtain an entertainment license from the council. These can be pubs and clubs for whom the cost and time of applying for these licenses is prohibitive, even if they hold regular events. It can be even more so for a music event that people want to organise to support a special occasion, like the Hythe festival or even for The Queen’s diamond jubilee this year. So I’m pleased to report that last Friday parliament passed a Bill to scrap this requirement; cutting bureaucracy and expense, and making it easier for pubs and clubs to host live performances....