From: BRIDGETT RONNIE [ronnie_dot_bridgett_at_Culture_dot_gsi_dot_gov_dot_uk]
Sent: 20 January 2009 17:47
Subject: Licensing enquiry - our ref ***570

Dear Dr Webber

Thank you for your email of 28 December in which you suggested that there was evidence that the Licensing Act 2003 is responsible for the loss of live music in Kent and East Sussex specifically.
Using modelled estimates for Licensing Authorities in Kent and East Sussex:
As at 31st March 2007, our licensing statistics estimated approx. 4,248 premises licences with live music provisions and 416 club premises cerficates with live music provisions.
As at 31st March 2008, our licensing statistics estimated approx. 4,761 premises licences with live music provisions and 419 club premises cerficates with live music provisions.
Therefore, overall, we estimate an increase of approx. 516 premises licences/club premises certificates within this period (11%).
The modelled estimates are close to the actual estimates as the majority of Licensing Authorities in these counties provided figures for this question.
I hope this information is helpful.

It has always been the Government's intention to create more opportunities for live music. The Live Music Forum was set up in 2007 to ensure that as many venues as possible took advantage of the opportunities presented by the 2003 Act, to monitor the Act’s impact on live music, and make recommendations to Government on how it might further bolster the UK's live music industry. In its final report, published last year, the Forum recommended an exemption from the 2003 Act for “incidental music” and for events attracting less than 100 people.
The LMF’s final report can be read or downloaded from our website:
www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/publications/3650.aspx
We are taking these recommendations into account as we develop options to exempt a diverse group of low impact activities from the scope of the Licensing Act (these include, for example, late night refreshment in motorway service areas and hospitals, as well as small scale live music). We hope to consult on these proposals shortly.
Yours sincerely

Ronnie Bridgett
Public Engagement and Recognition Unit (PERU)
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

20 January 2009

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport aims to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities, to support the pursuit of excellence and to champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.