So is there anyone out there working on winning round the relevant people in their local authority to see it that way and to recognise an opportunity?

Working but not winning, mainly because your average councillor does not understand the Act and need their legal officers to tell them. These are the same officers who have misled them as to what the current legislation means - so it is unlikely that very much will change. Both of these pieces of legislation (and guidance) are sadly designed to mean what those enforcing it - want it to mean.

Richard (P). Your idea is basically to maximise those premises that apply for the optional entertainment permission but even the councillors should be able to grasp this. It is not a bad idea but as it remains an option only open for the licensee or owner, it should not be the only strategy. It must be recognised that even increasing the take-up from the current 5% will still leave many places where even one performer will not be legal and where permission will be required to have a piano.

So it is VITAL for US to ensure NOW, that the exemption for incidental recorded and now for incidental LIVE music is defined locally to enable incidental live music (like sessions) to take place without entertainment permission. Background recorded music (like juke boxes) will be accepted by our licensing officers as exempt - it is up to us to ensure that our local licensing committees ensure that these officers also consider any incidental live music also to be exempt.

We the public, do have the right of freedom of expression, it is up to us to make sure that it is not taken away.