Council signals rethink over licence fees

FREE arts events with a capacity of less than 200 people are set to escape controversial new licensing rules in Edinburgh under an apparent climbdown from councillors.

Art exhibitions, poetry recitals, book readings, cabaret events, magic shows and live music sessions in temporary venues are likely to be exempted from the “burden” of needing a public entertainment licence.

However, the exemptions will not be in place when the legislation comes into force on 1 April, as the council must carry out a full consultation on which free events should be charged for a permit.

A final decision will not be taken until a meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council’s licensing committee on 20 April and it is not clear whether the exemptions will take effect immediately. Edinburgh’s licensing chairman Rob Munn said: “I have been listening closely to the views expressed by individuals and organisations across Edinburgh over the past week. “I want to stress that no-one wants to inhibit the artistic talent that makes Edinburgh one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the world.”