Public Entertainment Licence - Damaging Glasgow Since April 2012

'It is a tax on art and entertainment'

- change.org

An announcement was recently made that as of April 1st 2012, free exhibitions and performances would require a licence in order to take place in Scotland.  The introduction of the licence is set to threaten free gigs in shops, on the streets and in flats, free exhibitions and film screenings, storytelling for children in libraries, clubs and activity groups, student and charity events and many other community events which people in Glasgow and across Scotland have grown to love. 

The Public Entertainment Licence costs somewhere in the region of £120 and £7500 and in order to obtain it, the council must be given several months notice and then the public must be given 21 days notice of the event.  Realistically, the types of events mentioned would simply not be able to afford it and for events such as gigs in shops, streets and flats, several months notice simply spoils the excitement and buzz of holding last minute free events.

Glasgow bands have reached the heights of fame through promotion in free store events in indie record stores such as LoveMusic (formerly Avalanche Records), Monorail, Missing Records, Pulp and even in larger stores such as HMV and Fopp.  Biffy Clyro, Franz Ferdinand, The View, Frightened Rabbit, Twin Atlantic and many more have made it as a result of such free events and the entertainment licence could possibly see the end of such events and therefore a decline in the number of artists we see coming out of Glasgow.  Artists outwith Glasgow such as Deadmau5, You Me At Six and Alphabeat have also benefited from these free events in their earlier days as they played small records stores while on tour or to promote new albums and singles. 

Do you want to see a tax on entertainment?



Twin Atlantic performing a free set in Fopp, Glasgow in 2008.

Kris Haddow from Paisley started an on line petition to stop the implementation of the licence directed at The Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Edinburgh City Council.  At present, the petition has 15,033 signatures and has already had an impact upon Glasgow City Council however the others appear to be standing their ground.  As of 23rd February 2012, Glasgow City Council has agreed to withhold its proposal to introduce the licence however the situation will be reviewed again in 6 months time so it is of vital importance that people continue to sign the petition in the hope that the same decision will be made across Scotland and that it might become permanent. 

SAVE GLASGOW'S SMALL SCALE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT NOW! 

All it takes is your digital signature.

You can sign the petition by clicking on the link above.