Pub live music fears over royal wedding

Many pubs could find themselves unable to host live music and some other forms of entertainment during their extended hours over the royal wedding weekend.

That's the warning of live music campaigner Hamish Birchall, who pointed to a "serious oversight" in the Government's consultation on plans to let pubs open later during the national celebration.

The plan is to give pubs the automatic right to trade until 1am after the wedding on Friday 29 April, and also after the following Saturday.

The consultation asks whether the extended hours order should apply to regulated entertainment, which includes live music, recorded music and dancing.

Birchall, of the Live Music Forum, highlighted the fact the public aren't asked their views on extra consent for "entertainment facilities", which include amplification, musical instruments, dance floors, stages and karaoke machines.

"In other words, pretty much anything that enables people to be entertained, or to entertain themselves, through music and dancing," said Birchall.

"In failing to seek public consent on extending operating times for this crucial licensing permission, as far as music and dancing is concerned the consultation is void."

He added that only around one quarter of licensed premises have the authority for the provision of entertainment facilities.

Morning Advertiser legal editor Peter Coulson suggested pubs that don't have consent for entertainment facilities should apply for a temporary events notice.

Birchall also questioned why the consultation didn't ask about specific types of entertainment that fall within the regulated entertainment category.

"The wording of the question and the yes/no tick box answer means that no-one can indicate a preference for live as opposed to recorded music, or indeed for any of the seven different entertainments included within the term 'regulated entertainment'.

"Many people who might tolerate unamplified or moderately amplified live music till 1am may not be keen on extended hours for nightclub-style entertainment."

Meanwhile, the Home Office has clarified that it plans to let pubs open until 1am after the wedding, not on the day of it.

Confusions arose because the consultation refers to closing times of 1am on Friday 29 April and Saturday 30 April.

John Gaunt of law firm John Gaunt & Partners said that the consultation is not well-worded and has asked the Home Office for clarification. "It may be that they will issue some formal clarification," explained Gaunt.

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers strategic affairs director Kate Nicholls labelled the drafting documents a "damp squib".

"It's a clear example of poor drafting and we're getting touch with the Home Office to get this cleared up," said Nicholls. "It shows, once again, that the Home Office does not understand the trade."

A Home Office spokeswoman confirmed that the intention is for premises to open until 1am on 30 April and 1 May.