Entertainment licences needed for indoor entertainment

Derry City and Strabane District Council is reminding entertainment venues that while restrictions on the provision of indoor entertainment may be relaxed from Monday next July 26, premises will still be required to have a current entertainments licence to allow them to operate.

Paul Rafferty, Principal Environmental Health Officer within the Licensing Section of the Council, explained that it is anticipated that live, indoor musical entertainment will shortly be permitted again in venues across the district, and reminded businesses within the Derry City and Strabane District Council that they will require a current entertainments licence in order to provide regulated musical entertainments.

The current situation is that Government has provided an indicative date of 26 July 2021 for the return of audiences to theatres and live music, without restriction to volume, in indoor venues; however, this indicative date will be reviewed when the Executive meets on 22 July and some restrictions, including the prohibition on dancing, are expected to remain in place.

While this will be welcome news for many, Council would like to remind businesses that in order to provide regulated indoor entertainments, such as music, singing and theatrical performances, an entertainments licence is required for the premises.

Paul Rafferty commented: “The purpose of the entertainments licensing scheme is to protect public safety and to prevent noise from entertainment premises causing unreasonable disturbance to persons in the neighbourhood.  Any businesses that are uncertain whether their premises requires an entertainments licence are invited to contact the Council’s licensing team for advice on 028 71 253 253.”

In the meantime, businesses are advised to keep up to date with the latest coronavirus restrictions and guidance by regularly visiting the NI Direct website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/