Clubs to be hit by licensing overhaul

A new law could outlaw musical comedians in most comedy clubs.

Planned changes to the licensing system, as announced in the Queen's Speech last week, will require any pub hosting music to have a licence.

At present, venues in England and Wales playing host to one or two musicians are exempt from the regulations.

However the new proposals, which receive their second reading in the Lords next Tuesday, would mean an end to the so-called 'two in a room' loophole that covers almost all musical comedians.

If passed, pubs would have to state that they wanted to host live music when they applied for their licence. If the police, fire service, environmental health department or any neighbour objects, then the council can insist on conditions such as double-glazing before the licence is granted.

The Musicians' Union believes that most pubs will not want to risk that hassle, and possible expense, and not ask for permission for live music.

It will then be a criminal offence for musicians - or comics with any sort of instrument - to play a venue which has no music provision in its licence, likely to include many of the 'room above a pub' venues.

Union organiser Hamish Birchall told Chortle: "This will hit the grassroots hard. It will affect any comic who sings or plays an instrument."

Under the proposed reform of the public entertainments licence, musical comics from Billy Connolly (pictured above in 1974) to Bill Bailey would have been prevented from honing their craft in small venues.

Birchall is encouraging anyone concerned about the changes to write to their MP - or a peer, if they know one.

One alternative proposed by the Musicians Union is that England and Wales adopts the Scottish system, where bands can play in any bars up to 11pm.

Published: 19 Nov 2002