Justin Tomlinson MP at last year's opening of the new Harvester resturaunt in North Swindon
Justin Tomlinson MP today hosted a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Leisure. The meeting focused on music and entertainment and was an opportunity to bring Group members around a table with legal experts and industry representatives to discuss issues surrounding music and entertainment events.
Discussion focused on licensing laws and the proposed changes contained in Lord Clement-Jones’ Live Music Bill. The Bill, which aims to relax the laws surrounding live music, started in the House of Lords where it passed the final stage last week. The Bill is now due to be heard in the House of Commons and debated by MPs in the new year. If successful in becoming law, the Live Music Act will cut the regulations that make it hard for small venues (under 200 people) to put on music and entertainment events.
There was also an opportunity to discuss proposed increases in the fees venues pay for playing recorded music; the problem of secondary ticketing and the proposals issued by the Government to free small venues and groups like amateur drama groups, theatres, dance groups and indoor sport venues from restrictive licensing regulations.
Justin Tomlinson MP, Chair of the APPG for Leisure said “I welcome moves to reduce the regulation and costs placed on venues providing entertainment. We are keen to support measures to target predatory ticket touts, pricing genuine fans out of sporting and music events.”
Justin Tomlinson last month launched a Community Pub Survey to identify the issues, challenges and crucially opportunities to help the pub industry and to find Swindon's favourite local! Please fill in the survey if you haven't already http://www.justintomlinson.com/page/15/