Storm in a tea dance as council demands licence fee
AN arts charity may have to rethink an educational workshop after being told it needed an entertainment licence.
Sit and Fidget, a Southend-based group, wanted to hold a 1940s workshop at the end of the month.
However, Government red tape means it will have to spend £21 for a public entertainment licence.
Sit and Fidget’s workshop was to feature dance, culture and lifestyle of the era, culminating in a tea dance for those paying £3.50 to join the workshop.
However, Southend Council officials have put a spanner in the works by classing the event as “regulated entertainment”, part of the Licensing Act 2003.
Officials from the council’s licensing department contacted Sit and Fidget after spotting the event which was advertised in the Echo.
Organiser Claire Bartlett was told she needed to buy the £21 temporary event notice because of the tea dance element.
She said: “I’ve been running events like this for years and this is the first time I’ve been asked to get a licence.
“The man who called me didn’t even ask me what we were doing, he just said we needed a licence.
“I’ve e-mailed the council to see what the situation is and I’m currently waiting to hear back from them.”
Carl Robinson, Southend Council’s acting group manager for regulatory services, said: “Under the Licensing Act 2003, certain activities are classified as regulated entertainment and are licensable.
“Examples of licensable activities include, but are not limited to, supplying alcohol, the performance of plays, playing music, dancing and showing films.”
Source: Echo News
Category: Event Industry News
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