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St Albans Morris Men

 

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WHY IS MORRIS DANCING EXEMPT FROM THE LICENSING ACT 2003?

The Licensing Act 2003 came into force on 24th November 2005. It established a single integrated scheme for licensing premises which are used for the supply of alcohol, and/or to provide regulated entertainment, and/or to provide late night refreshment. "Regulated entertainment" means the commercial or public provision of any of the following:

When this Bill was going through Parliament, morris dancers were very concerned that it would destroy our traditional activities in their traditional settings. The three national morris organisations therefore lobbied hard and successfully to seek exemption. As a result, Schedule 1 Part 2 Clause 11 specifically exempts morris dancing and related music from the provisions of the Act (provided that the music is unamplified). Therefore we don't need an entertainment licence to dance, and people who permit us to dance in public on their premises don't need an entertainment licence to provide us with dancing facilities. To see the actual wording of the exemption, click here and scroll to Clause 11.

The above is an explanation and does not, of course, constitute legal advice.


Updated 17th August 2006.   Webslave - John Price.     Mail me.

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