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Newsletter: Licensing Sprint: Government to introduce more business friendly licensing

Licensing Sprint: Government to introduce more business friendly licensing 

Earlier this year, LIVE was asked to sit on a taskforce to develop proposals to deliver more business friendly licensing of venues and events.  The Government, as part of its SME strategy, has now published the Licensing Taskforce report and Government response.  Given LIVE’s close involvement with this work, identifying participants and co-chairing the late night/events group, we were delighted to see that the Government have accepted the majority of our priority recommendations subject to further and wider engagement (including a call for evidence this Summer).  The Government sees this as a pro-growth vision for licensing reform with the potential to significantly improve the trading environment for venues and festivals.  Proposals to be taken forward include:

  • Introduce a National Licensing Policy Framework to deliver a more consistent, transparent and pro-growth licensing system. 

  • Scrap local newspaper advertising given declining print newspaper circulation.

  • Clearer evidential standards and structured mechanisms for objections and reviews to help reduce unnecessary burdens on businesses and local authorities.                             
  • Review licence length and fees for festivals given the benefits of providing greater certainty and stability for recurring events, particularly in supporting long-term investment and planning.                                                      
  • Strengthen the ‘agent of change’ principle to ensure uniform application across local authorities.

 
Still work to do to deliver these (and the other) changes but it is great to see the Government’s positive intent.  Commenting for LIVE, CEO, Jon Collins said, “LIVE was delighted to work with Government on developing these proposals and it is great to see so many positive, business friendly measures being championed.  This rebalancing of the licensing regime will retain necessary protections while opening up new opportunities for venues, events and festivals.  That will mean more joy, more vibrancy and, crucially, growth”.

 

LIVE Talks x CPWM: Beyond the Binary - Creating More Inclusive Spaces in Live Music

Date: Tuesday 19th August
Time: 12pm - 1pm UK
Location: Online via Zoom

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This session is for anyone who wants to better understand gender diversity and build more welcoming environments within the music industry. Together, we’ll explore the current experiences of trans and gender non-conforming people, and reflect on the role we can all play - regardless of our background or level of experience - in creating more inclusive spaces for our workforce.

We’ll look at common questions around language and pronouns in an open, supportive setting, and share practical steps we can take to make our environments more accessible for everyone. Whether you're just starting to think about these topics or already working towards change, this is a space to learn, ask questions, and grow together.

 

LIVE Trust:  Glasshouse discussion underscores grassroots pressures and highlights opportunities 


As part of the BBC Proms at The Glasshouse (and following on from an exceptional performance by JADE & Royal Northern Sinfonia), representatives of the LIVE Trust met with individuals from across grassroots music in the region.  Jon Collins was joined by trustees Wendy Smith and Victoria Smith to hear venues, artists, promoters and other provided valuable firsthand testimony as to the current challenges and opportunities in the grassroots sector.  The challenges are well known but bear repeating while insight into the longer term needs and interconnected nature of the scene will help shape the LIVE Trust’s funding strategy.  

With money coming in from tours and more commitments being made each week, this was a very timely session.  If you are having an event and would like the Trust to attend please drop us a line.  Trustees are keen to draw on as much information as possible as they develop an initial funding strategy. 

 

LIVE Festivals & LIVE Venues: Parliament calls for evidence on Major Events


The CMS Committee in the Commons (that held last year’s inquiry into grassroots music venues) has announced a call for evidence to support its new inquiry into major events.  The Committee is keen to examine the challenges faced by the industry and how the sector can tap into new opportunities for growth and collaboration.  They will focus on sporting and cultural events that attract national or international audiences and typically draw attendance of over 10,000 people per day – including internationally recognised sporting competitions, national celebrations and leading arts and music festivals, which generate significant economic activity, media coverage and cultural impact.

The inquiry will look at examples of best practice across the sector, the role of the Government in providing support for events and any lessons that could be learnt from other countries or the devolved nations.  The Committee will also consider the impact of recent policies on the sector, including the Employment Rights Bill, the Crime and Policing Bill and the implementation of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.
Deadline for submissions is September 4th and LIVE’s response will cover matters such as the case for a festival tax relief, VAT on tickets, the potential impact of the T(PoP) Act, the recommendations of the licensing taskforce and business rates reform.

 

The LIVE Awards 2025: Tickets and tables are on-sale now!

Join us on Wednesday 10th December 2025 as the UK live music industry comes together for an unforgettable evening at the LIVE Awards - a night dedicated to celebrating the people and places that make our sector thrive. Now in its fourth year, the LIVE Awards 2025 will take place at the iconic Troxy in East London, a stunning Art Deco venue that’s hosted generations of unforgettable events. We’ll be welcoming 600 guests from across the industry, including leading promoters, venues, agents, festivals, managers, and many more key figures. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special night - full details on the LIVE Awards 2025 are available here.

Fan-Led Review of Live Music: have your say


The Culture, Media and Sport Committee are conducting a survey as part of their fan-led review of live music.  This inquiry has the main aim of improving the sustainability of grassroots live and electronic music to safeguard the success of the wider UK music industry.

The committee’s overarching belief is that live music is a good thing and that the UK music industry is a cultural and economic powerhouse but it also faces challenges.  The committee’s aim is to put fans at the heart of how the live and electronic music industry works, and to make sure the Government is listening to them.  They are therefore keen for music fans to complete this survey to share their perspectives and experiences of live music.  The responses will inform the inquiry and will feed into the final report and its recommendations which will go to the government. 

Anyone who is interested in live music is welcome to complete this survey.  So please take this opportunity to have your say and feel free to publicise it with your networks.