If It's A Public Performance Get A Licence Warns Kent Lawyer

23 May 2006

If you put on a play, a film or live or recorded music events or dances, including discos, to a public audience you need a premises licence - even in a village hall or school, warns Furley Page licensing lawyer David Hall.

Entertainment in churches (but not church halls) and Morris dancing are exempt from the licensing laws, along with piped or background music such as in a shop or shopping mall. A private function is usually exempt but if there is an admission charge intended to cover more than the cost of the musical or other entertainment - and result in a profit, organisers could face a £20,000 fine, six months’ imprisonment or both.

Mr Hall said: “Many people think that it is only businesses selling alcohol which need to be licensed under the Licensing Act 2003 but this is not the case as the BBC recently discovered to its embarrassment when Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s attention was drawn to a Top of the Pops show which featured a live concert by the Red Hot Chili Peppers in the forecourt of Television Centre.

“The BBC got round it by asking staff to make up the studio audience for Top of the Pops and Strictly Dance Fever as they would be regarded as a private audience.”

If you plan to have less than 12 events a year in any premises and the audience doesn’t exceed 499, you can apply for temporary event notices rather than a full premises licence.

Application forms for licences are intended to be user-friendly but in reality are rather daunting so applicants may want to seek advice from a licensing solicitor, adds Mr Hall.

For more information contact  David Hall.
 

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