The Live Entertainment Works initiative is seeking wider awareness of relaxations in the law surrounding live entertainment.
The Live Music Act 2012 means live or recorded music events for audiences of 200 or fewer between 8am and 11pm do not need a licence. It also confirmed acoustic performances do not need a licence, regardless of audience size and that plays or dance can be performed to 500 in a pub without a licence.
Further changes due to come in from 6 April next year will remove the need for a licence for live or recorded music for audiences of up to 500 between 8am and 11pm.
In support of their campaign Equity quoted research by PRS Music that shows 24% of publicans reported an increase in takings of 25% - 50% on nights when they had music and 71% reported an increase of between 10% and 25%. The research claimed pubs without featured music were on average three times more likely to close than pubs with featured music.
Hilary Hadley, Equity’s head of live performance, said: “We believe this is a win-win situation for our members and publicans. Pubs get more trade through people enjoying the live entertainment; the community benefits by joining together in a shared activity and Equity members get to do what they do best.”
Pubs are now being encouraged to sign up to the campaign at www.equity.org.uk/live-entertainment-works and be listed on Equity’s website as a performance venue.
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