A WITNEY record shop celebrated a change in live music licensing laws in the best way it knew how – by staging a concert.
Venues in England and Wales with a capacity of under 200 people no longer need a licence for live music.
Rapture, in the Woolgate Centre, staged a lunchtime gig by US group The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band last Friday to celebrate.
Shop owner Gary Smith said he welcomed the change in law, and added: “We have had to refuse bands in the past, because it’s been too short notice to get a licence, but now we’re free to be able to do more.
“The laws that had been previously brought in were a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Pubs can just put on live music whenever they want now, which means that we can as well.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here