Government proposals for licensing consideration welcomed by Live and Music Venue Trust
The UK government has unveiled a series of measures aimed at creating a more supportive and streamlined licensing environment for music venues, festivals, and temporary events. The announcements follow the recommendations from the Licensing Taskforce report, chaired by LIVE CEO Jon Collins and Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd, which was recently profiled in Music Week 1.
The government's response includes the creation of a National Licensing Policy Framework, designed to provide clear national direction while preserving local discretion 3. This framework will require extensive stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering before implementation, with the aim of ensuring a clearer, more consistent, and pro-growth licensing system.
One of the key recommendations from the Licensing Taskforce report is reviewing festival licence lengths and fees to provide more certainty and stability for recurring events, which supports long-term investment and planning 1. The government recognizes the potential benefits of adjusting licence length and fees to foster event growth and planning certainty 1.
Another significant recommendation is strengthening the 'agent of change' principle to ensure it is applied uniformly across local authorities. This principle aims to protect existing venues from noise complaints due to new developments, balancing development with venue protection 1. The strengthened 'agent of change' principle will ensure that licensing decisions factor in existing music and cultural spaces consistently.
The government's response also includes an 'amnesty' to modernize and streamline licenses, providing a one-time opportunity for venues and events to bring their licenses in line with current best practices 1. Additionally, the taskforce proposes a practical, balanced approach to Temporary Event Notices (TENs) to help grassroots music venues and events thrive 1.
Music Venue Trust, which supports these recommendations, has warmly welcomed the government's response to the Licensing Taskforce report. LIVE CEO Jon Collins believes that the rebalancing of the licensing regime will retain necessary protections while opening up new opportunities for venues, events, and festivals 2. He states that this rebalancing will result in more joy, vibrancy, and growth.
The government has welcomed the Licensing Taskforce report, with both Jon Collins and Mark Davyd receiving praise for their efforts. Jon Collins is delighted to work with the government on this important issue, and Steve Lamacq, another prominent figure in the music industry, has also been profiled in the same Music Week article 1.
These recommendations collectively seek to create a fairer, clearer, and more supportive licensing environment for festivals, venues, and temporary events while maintaining necessary protections for local communities and public order 14. With the implementation of these changes, the UK's music and cultural scene is set to thrive.
- To foster a conducive environment for businesses such as live music events and venues, the government is planning to implement a National Licensing Policy Framework, which will encourage longer festival license lengths and fees, and strengthen the 'agent of change' principle, aiming for a clearer, more consistent, and pro-growth licensing system.
- As part of the government's response to the Licensing Taskforce report, an 'amnesty' has been proposed to modernize and streamline licenses, enabling venues and events to bring their licenses in line with current best practices, and a practical, balanced approach to Temporary Event Notices (TENs) has been suggested to help grassroots music venues and events prosper, thus contributing to a more vibrant lifestyle and entertainment industry in the UK.
