09:00 - 04 February 2003

One of the longest-serving landlords in North Devon fears that proposed changes to licensing laws will send his costs soaring.

Barry Shingler, who has run Marshalls pub in Barnstaple for the past 15 years, is backing the WMN's campaign to challenge the Government's Licensing Bill.

If the Bill becomes law, nearly all forms of public entertainment will need a licence.

Mr Shingler said: "All we want to do is give people a choice. We certainly don't make money out of it.

"It's a bit of harmless fun with a great tradition - so why make it so complicated?"

Mr Shingler currently takes advantage of the "two-in-a-bar rule", which allows him to host one or two performers in his pub without having to buy an entertainment licence.

The proposed new law will scrap this exemption, forcing him to apply to his local authority for a new "premises" licence.

Mr Shingler said: "The expense will send my costs soaring. As soon as I tell the council I want to provide entertainment, I will have to undergo extra checks from fire, police and health and safety.

"They will no doubt insist on expensive alterations. Is all that really necessary so that one person can play a guitar on a Sunday afternoon?"

A singer who regularly performs at the pub is Glenn Scoffield, from Barnstaple. He said: "I've been in the business for nearly 35 years and I've never heard of anything like this.

"I used to be able to get three gigs a week, the phone was ringing all the time. Now it is a struggle to find places that will put you on.

"This Bill is just making a bad situation worse, if not impossible. We need landlords like Barry who are prepared to take a chance on music and use their imagination." Under the new law, live music "in any place" will be illegal unless a licence or temporary entertainment notice is obtained.

Anyone staging unlicensed events will be liable to penalties of up to £20,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Mr Shingler said: "I have heard that a new premises licence will cost something like £240. And what for? The right to have a musician on once a week and create a good atmosphere.

"We've never had any complaints about noise before, so why is it being made more difficult?" Regulars at the pub say it would be a "tragedy" if the live music had to stop.

Steve Badcock, from Barnstaple, who has been drinking at Marshalls for a number of years, said: "The music here is great. It makes a change and is a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. It's a traditional place with a warm atmosphere and that is something worth protecting.

"Pubs are all starting to look the same wherever you go - drab interiors and Sky television. If they all end up like that it would be tragic."

Publicans' representatives fear the added cost and bureaucracy the Bill would impose may force closures. Joe Duthie, chairman of the West of England Licensed Victuallers Association, said: "We are very worried about fees going through the roof.

"Small pubs need to be able to operate in a way that allows them to maximise their potential.
"The overhaul of the licensing laws are a golden opportunity to create flexibility, not add to costs which could put pubs under."

09:00 - 06 February 2003

The landlords of a traditional Westcountry pub believe the Government's new Licensing Bill is "totally unworkable".

Wayne and Colin Richens, who run The St Michael's Mount Inn, in St Barripper near Camborne, Cornwall, are joining the WMN campaign to demand the Government amend the Bill, widely seen as a threat to live music in pubs.

Wayne said: "We have as much acoustic music on as we possibly can. Most pubs seem to settle for Sky television and karaoke. Not here, no way. We offer something more traditional and want to keep it that way."

One of the Bill's proposals is to abolish the ancient two-in-a-bar rule, which allows one or two performers to play in a pub without the landlord needing an entertainments licence.

Wayne said: "One of our regular performers is a 70-year-old man who plays Rolling Stones' songs on an accordion. Under this Bill we would need a license to let him perform. It's crazy and completely unworkable."

The new licensing regime will create one central premise license, combining alcohol and entertainments, and distributed by local authorities. A landlord would apply to their authority for the licence - costing up to £500 - and specify whether they want to provide entertainment.

But musicians fear publicans will be put off applying for the right to stage music because of the clearance needed from police, fire, health and safety, the local authority, and local residents - which may come with expensive conditions.

Wayne said: "Every month we host an evening called Revival 2000. It showcases acoustic, blues, roots, and ethnic acts.

"All the musicians play just one or two at a time, and it bothers nobody. But all that would just have to stop."

And it is not just landlords and musicians that are concerned by the Licensing Bill.

Brian Williams, from Kingsand, in Devon, helps to produce albums which are sold to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

He believes the Bill represents an infringement on basic human rights.

He said: "The cultural map of this country is under threat. The right to perform music, song or dance is an intrinsic part of an individual's right to the freedom of expression.

"Absolutely everyone who cares about the future of music should join the WMN campaign."

The next Revival 2000 night at St Michael's Mount Inn is on Friday, starting at 7.30pm.

"Come and enjoy it before they make it illegal," said Wayne.