Last updated at 13:47, Thursday, 11 October 2012

By Jonathan HumphriesPUBLICANS have welcomed a change in the law making it easier for small venues to host live music.

HELP: Mike Fallon, chairman of the Barrow and District Licensed Victuallers Association

New legislation means that any venue with a capacity of fewer than 200 people will no longer need a licence to play unamplified live music between 8am and 11pm.

The change in the law, which came into force on October 1, could enable struggling pubs to attract more customers.

Andy Robinson, licensee of The Derby Hotel, Dalton Road, Barrow, said: “I think it’s a good thing for Barrow, It’s definitely going to be a boost.

“I love going to places where they have live music even if it’s just a guitarist.

“The pubs definitely need something.”

Joanne Clayton-Brown, licensee of The Hope and Anchor Pub, Daltongate, Ulverston, said: “I think it will be brilliant, we don’t get anywhere near 200 people in here. It’s a good thing for live music.”

Ms Clayton-Brown says that despite the economic climate her business is doing well, and attributes some of this success to live music events.

“People like to wander around on a night out and if they see music is on they come in.

“We have our main act on Friday night and it crams the place. Live music creates a brilliant atmosphere.

“Ulverston has quite got quite a prolific music scene anyway and I think this will have a huge impact for the struggling pubs.”

Recent research by trade insolvency body R3 revealed that 31 per cent of pubs and bars in Cumbria are at risk of closure inside the next 12 months.

That compares with 25 per cent of businesses overall.

“It’s nice to have some good news for once,” added Ms Clayton-Brown.

Mike Fallon, chairman of the Barrow and District Licensed Victuallers Association, attributed failing pubs to rock bottom alcohol prices in supermarkets, but says helping pubs to host live music could provide an extra incentive for people to head to their local.

He said of the change in the law: “It will certainly help.”

The legislation was introduced to parliament in a private member’s bill by Liberal Democrat MP Don Foster, on behalf of his colleague Lord Clement Jones.

The government say the move is an attempt to cut some of the bureaucracy imposed on businesses in the 2003 Licensing Act.

lSix pages of live music coverage inside today’s Love Going Out from page 20

First published at 16:30, Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk