Having just gone through the licencing act 2003 and my local councils interpretation of it, if an entertainments license is involved in a premises license then it has to involve more departments than if you are just retailing alcohol

I run outside events One council has said I have to license the whole event, another council only need the Beer Tent licensed.

I was informed by a Detective Chief Inspector that as long as I don't advertise live music at the event and the music is "impromptu" and not for an audience, ie a group of people having a sing song, no problem, this was confirmed by someone from the licensing office.

As long as the bar offers no facility, it is not organised.

This does'nt help people earning a living from music but does allow us to entertain ourselves in the bar.