IN reply to Pete Bramwell (Letters, March 3), it is, of course, untrue that the Blackburn with Darwen Council is acting as 'killjoys' in regard to karaoke.
The council has received three complaints from local publicans objecting to other pubs holding karaoke events.
In order to clarify matters, the council asked the Home Office for advice regarding the law. After much delay, the council eventually received a reply from the Home Office.
Their letter said: "A public entertainment licence would be required if what is provided in licensed promises consists, as for example karaoke appears to do, of a combination of recorded sound and live performers playing at the same time.
"We believe that many licensing authorities do, in fact, require a public entertainment licence to be obtained for karaoke events in public houses."
Of course the council does not want to go around enforcing outdated laws, but at the same time cannot ignore such laws - especially when other members of the public want them enforced! Public houses without public entertainment licences can, of course, still hold entertainment such as discos, duos, singers, etc - which many pubs successfully already do. Indeed, Mr Bramwell can still enjoy karaoke in the many pubs that do have an entertainment licence.
Such pubs are also at liberty to apply for late drinking licences, which many have done. That's why so many pubs (especially in Blackburn town centre) are packed to the rafters most weekends.
Finally, I agree with Mr Bramwell that the current laws are outdated and contradictory. The Home Office is currently reviewing these laws and I urge all concerned to write to: John Macgregor, Civic Regulation Section, Home Office Liquor, Gambling and Data Protection Unit, 50 Queen Annes Gate, London SW1H 8AT.
So please, don't just 'blame the council' - especially one that has actively promoted entertainment in our towns.
COUN DAVE SMITH (Sunnyhurst Ward), Avondale Road, Darwen.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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