Deregulated entertainment from 6th April 2015
The following activities DO NOT need a licence
Premises type
Activity
Times
Audience size
Licensed for sale/supply of alcohol
Recorded music
Between 08:00 and 23:00
Up to 500
pubs, bars nightclubs, registered clubs
Amplified Live Music
Between 08:00 and 23:00
Up to 500
etc
Unamplified live music
Between 08:00 and 23:00
No limit
Anywhere
Unamplified live music
Between 08:00 and 23:00
No limit
A workplace
Amplified Live Music
Between 08:00 and 23:00
500
Community premises, community
Live and recorded music
Between 08:00 and 23:00
Up to 500
centre, church halls
Community premises (organiser must
Film
Between 08:00 and 23:00
Up to 500
have consent from premises & comply
with film certification.
Local Authority property, Hospitals and
Any
Between 08:00 and 23:00
No Limit
Schools. Only if entertainment is run by
or on behalf of the above
Local Authority property, Hospitals and
Any
Between 08:00 and 23:00
500
Schools
When property is let of hired out.
Any
Performance of plays or
Between 08:00 and 23:00
500
dance
Film, but only when
Any
No limit
Any
incidental to other
entertainment
Any
Indoor sport
Between 08:00 and 23:00
1000
Any existing conditions on a premises licence concerning nuisance from live or recorded music are not valid if the
circumstances (hours and capacity figures) shown above in the table apply. Outside of these hours they still apply.
Even if a licence is not required this does not mean that a nuisance cannot be caused, nuisance can still be dealt with
under the EPA by authorised officers. Premises with alcohol licences can have conditions imposed on the licence if
nuisance is caused, this done through a review of the premises licence.
In addition there are other activities that fall outside of the licensing regime
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activities which involve participation as acts of worship in a religious context;
activities in places of public religious worship;
education – teaching students to perform music or to dance;
busking;
the demonstration of a product – for example, a guitar – in a music shop;
the rehearsal of a play or performance of music for a private audience where no charge is made with a view to
making a profit;
Morris dancing (or similar);
Incidental music – the performance of live music or the playing of recorded music if it is incidental to some other
activity;
Incidental film – an exhibition of moving pictures if it is incidental to some other activity;
A spontaneous performance of music, singing or dancing;
Garden fetes – or similar if not being promoted or held for purposes of private gain;
Films for advertisement, information, education or in museums or art galleries;
Television or radio broadcasts – as long as the programme is live and simultaneous;
Vehicles in motion – at a time when the vehicle is not permanently or temporarily parked;
Games played in pubs, youth clubs etc. (e.g. pool, darts and table tennis);
Stand-up comedy; and
Provision of entertainment facilities (e.g. dance floors).