Are they going to get the extra provision for free, or will there be extra hidden costs if they tick the box ?

Well one thing is for sure, if they don't apply for entertainment permission - they will not be able to provide any.

As to getting anything for free, no they won't. The safe capacity aspect is just part of the application to provide entertainment and in order to get this, the licensee will have to pay for the Premises Licence (for the life of the current business), an annual inspection charge and a personal licence every ten years.

Nothing to do with the Licnsing Act but there is also the matter of PRS licence fees. For the first time, PRS inspectors will have a list (kindly provide for them by the LA), of every pub that can legally provided lve music. Before there was no such list as some live music could take place without a PEL.