The PEL system and the 2 in a bar rule should be killed itself by the Licensing Act 2003 which comes into force next week - a six months transition period. The publican just declares in his operaing schedule that he intends to have regulated entertainment and ought to say what it is otherwise the locals will be up in arms thinking its heavy rock at 3 am!

There is a large fuss at the moment on extending drinking hours and Tessa Jowell looked decidedly nervous on TV tonight on the subject. No mention of course on the effect on music of needing a licence indoors or out.