The Morris situation (on private land) is currently as follows. A letter to and a reply from my Licensing Manager.

Thank you for your letter of the 04/06/01 and the answer you have given. I must confess that I did find your answer a little confusing with regard to the reference to "not on private land". I will try again.

The event or events I have in mind are the following. A Morris side (comprising of more than two people) will produce a programme of dates where they will be performing during a summer season. When these include public houses, which may be visited more than once and they take place on land belonging to the public house, such as pub gardens or car parks, would these events require a Public Entertainment Licence?

Dear Mr Gall

MORRIS DANCING

A performance of music and dancing taking place in the open and on private land i.e. land to which the public has access only with the permission of the owner, will be subject to SS3 and SS4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (Schedule 1), which requires a licence to be granted by the local authority.

An exemption is available if the musical entertainment is incidental to an event such as a garden fete.

May I suggest that if you have a specific event in mind, which you believe may require a licence, you submit an application giving all the relevant details so that the Council may consider it properly.

I hope that this information is of assistance.
SS3 and SS4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (Schedule 1) for outdoor events, is optional. Your local authority does not have to adopt it. Most have and where they have, a PEL is required.

Busking (on public land) will be the same as now. Any form of music making on private property, to which the public has access, will be illegal without the new premises licence (and entertainment element). Whether serving liquor or not.