Ministers consult on deregulating "mess" of regulated entertainment rules

The government has launched a consultation on deregulating activities classed as “regulated entertainment” under the Licensing Act 2003, with ministers describing the current rules as “a mess”.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is seeking views on the removal in certain circumstances of the requirement for a licence in England and Wales to host a performance of a play, an exhibition of a film, an indoor sporting event, a performance of live music, any playing of recorded music, or a performance of dance.

The consultation paper examines currently licensable activities, with the DCMS asking what would happen if the activity no longer required a licence. “Where there is no good reason to continue with the existing regime, the Government will look to abolish it,” the DCMS said.

“Where there is a genuine need to licence a type of entertainment, then this consultation proposes that the licensing requirement would remain, either in full, or in part if more appropriate,” the paper added. “In such cases this consultation seeks to identify the precise nature of the potential harm, and seek evidence to identify effective and proportionate solutions.”

There will be no relaxation of the rules controlling:

• Any performance of live music, theatre, dance, recorded music, indoor sport or exhibition of film where the audience is of 5,000 people or more
• Boxing and wrestling
• Any performance of dance that may be classed as sexual entertainment, but is exempt from separate sexual entertainment venue regulations.

Tourism Minister John Penrose argued that deregulation would help new talent to emerge and promote economic growth.

He said: “Current entertainment licensing rules are a mess. Pointless bureaucracy and licence fees imposed on community groups trying to put on simple amateur productions and fundraising events sap energy and deaden people’s desire to get involved. Deregulation here will also make it easier for new talent to get started and help pubs diversify into other activities to help weather the present tough economic climate.”

More information on the consultation can be viewed here.