John - I think that you may find that it is under the "Public Safety" considerations that an LA might be able to insist on changes to the structure of the premises etc before they grant a PEL. My reading of the act is definitely that you must satisfy the provisions for a full PEL to be granted one in the first place. If the LA then wished to attach further conditions or restrictions not related to "Public Safety" or "Prevention of Crime or Disorder" these would not apply entertainment which falls within the "Small Event" clause.

I think that the "Small Events" excemption was merely created to make it look to the objectors in the House of Lords as though the government was making seriuous concessions, when in fact they were offering very little.

I feel that if the premises are not safe for small-scale entertainment, then they are not safe for large-scale drinking or watching live large screen TV. However I don't think that the government would have had the bottle to suggest that ALL pubs should comply to rigorous safety standards and decided to penalise only those which wished to have live entertainment.

BTW John - I agree with you about the fact that we have yet to see any of the great benefits that the act was supposed to provide such as extended and more flexible licensing hours - although of course, the "Small Events" clause would still be restricted to before midnight.