The Law Relating To The Provision Of Entertainment
Mark S. Elliott has spent 25 years working in various management roles within the tenanted and leased divisions of the UK's largest breweries and pub companies. His extensive knowledge and day-to-day involvement with pubs and publicans make him well qualified to know what is required to run a successful pub. He shares his knowledge and many 'insider tips' with you in this book. Mark is based in Cockermouth, Cumbria.
THE LAW RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF ENTERTAINMENT
Under the new licensing system, the premises licence covers the provision of regulated entertainment. This replaces the old procedure of applying for a separate public entertainment licence. A pub providing this type of entertainment must have this incorporated into its operating statement. This would have been submitted with the original premises licence application and can only be varied through a formal application for variation.
Regulated entertainment covers the provision of entertainment or of entertainment facilities. Entertainment includes:
- live music;
- any playing of recorded music;
- performance of dance;
- indoor sporting events;
- boxing or wrestling events;
- showing of films;
- any entertainment of a similar description to live music, recorded music or dance.
‘Entertainment facilities’ are facilities enabling people to take part in entertainment. This includes:
- making music;
- dancing;
- entertainment of a similar description to making music or dancing.
An example of an entertainment facility is a dance floor.
Live broadcast entertainment, for example showing broadcast TV, is exempt from the regulations. Playing recorded music that is incidental to other activities, for example a jukebox, would also be excluded. However, having a jukebox where a dance floor is also provided would fall within the requirements. A disc jockey would be regarded as regulated entertainment too. Pub games like darts and pool would not normally need to be authorised, unless played for the entertainment of an audience. Exhibition darts matches or championships staged for spectators would be considered regulated entertainment.
The consequence of not obtaining a licence to cover regulated entertainment, and being convicted, is a fine of up to £ 20,000 or imprisonment of up to 6 months.
