13.07.2015 Views

Amended guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act ...

Amended guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act ...

Amended guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

INCIDENTAL MUSIC15.13 The incidental performance <strong>of</strong> live music and incidental playing <strong>of</strong> recorded music may notbe regarded as <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> regulated entertainment activities <strong>under</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2003 <strong>Act</strong> incertain circumstances. This is where <strong>the</strong>y are incidental to ano<strong>the</strong>r activity which is notitself entertainment or <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> entertainment facilities. This exemption does notextend to <strong>the</strong> provision <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r forms <strong>of</strong> regulated entertainment.15.14 Whe<strong>the</strong>r or not music <strong>of</strong> this kind is “incidental” to o<strong>the</strong>r activities is expected to be judgedon a case by case basis and <strong>the</strong>re is no definition in <strong>the</strong> 2003 <strong>Act</strong>. It will ultimately be for<strong>the</strong> courts to decide whe<strong>the</strong>r music is “incidental” in <strong>the</strong> individual circumstances <strong>of</strong>any case.15.15 The operator <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> premises concerned must first decide whe<strong>the</strong>r or not <strong>the</strong>y need apremises licence. In considering whe<strong>the</strong>r or not music is incidental, one factor will bewhe<strong>the</strong>r or not, against a background <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r activities already taking place, <strong>the</strong>addition <strong>of</strong> music will create <strong>the</strong> potential to <strong>under</strong>mine <strong>the</strong> four licensing objectives <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> 2003 <strong>Act</strong>. O<strong>the</strong>r factors might include some or all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> following:• Is <strong>the</strong> music <strong>the</strong> main, or one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main, reasons for people attending <strong>the</strong> premises?• Is <strong>the</strong> music advertised as <strong>the</strong> main attraction?• Does <strong>the</strong> volume <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> music disrupt or predominate over o<strong>the</strong>r activities or could it bedescribed as ‘background’ music?15.16 Conversely, factors which would not normally be relevant include:• number <strong>of</strong> musicians, e.g. an orchestra may provide incidental music at a large exhibition.• whe<strong>the</strong>r musicians are paid.• whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> performance is pre-arranged.• whe<strong>the</strong>r a charge is made for admission to premises.15.17 Stand-up comedy is not regulated entertainment and musical accompaniment incidentalto <strong>the</strong> main performance would not make it a licensable activity. But <strong>the</strong>re are likely to besome circumstances which occupy a greyer area. In cases <strong>of</strong> doubt, operators should seek<strong>the</strong> advice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> licensing authority, particularly with regard to <strong>the</strong>ir policy on enforcement.AMENDED GUIDANCE ISSUED UNDER SECTION <strong>182</strong> OF THE LICENSING ACT 2003119

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!