There has been much discussed recently about the changes in the new Licensing Act and how it will affect clubs and sessions, but I have also seen info about proposed charges relating to larger events, which might well impact on festivals. I can't remember the exact details, but for events which will attract less than 6,000 people, I think the proposed charge is around the £200 mark, however for over that figure, it starts at (I think) £5,000 for 6,000+ people, and goes up in chunks from there. It is in the DCMS consultation papers - something like chapter 7, para 33. (page 34 of the report)

http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/e53qdzkcvg5kizk457n6btlfaswaq7yimclfboxulgf6gyhhwvztdsiu4sci7f2lkkcyrf2t5lvi7dkihsukfqt7gke/CONSULTATIONDOCFEESfinalversion.pdf

If it comes in it will likely apply to apply to free events as well as ticketed.

The official consultation period ended (unsurprisingly) before I got a chance to read this! Colleagues at work are making some representations via bodies like British Resorts Association etc.

Be interesting to hear from Catters which events they know of that would be affected by this, if it came in, and the affect they would imagine it would have. I know there are one or two shrewd legal brains out there too, and their comments would, I'm sure, be good to have.

Blowz