Office of Public Sector Information

Section 52.

SCHEDULE 12 Licensing of Public Entertainments in Greater London on and after 1st April 1965

Music and dancing licences

1(1)Subject to sub-paragraph (6) of this paragraph no [F1premises in a London borough or the City of London], whether or not licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, shall be used for any of the following purposes, that is to say, public dancing or music and any other public entertainment of the like kind, except under and in accordance with the terms of a licence granted under this paragraph by [F1the council of that borough or the Common Council, as the case may be, and that council or the Common Council is in this Schedule referred to as “the Council” ].

(2)The Council may grant to any applicant therefor and from time to time renew a licence for the use of any premises specified therein for all or any of the purposes aforesaid on such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions as may be so specified.

(3)Subject to the next following sub-paragraph and to paragraph 19(3) of this Schedule, a licence granted under this paragraph shall, unless previously cancelled under paragraph 8 or revoked under paragraph [F29A or 10(4) or (4A)] of this Schedule, remain in force for one year or for such shorter period specified in the licence as the Council may think fit.

(4)The Council may grant a licence under this paragraph in respect of such one or more particular occasions only as may be specified in the licence, and a licence granted by virtue of this sub-paragraph is hereafter in this Schedule referred to as an [F3“occasional licence” ].

(5)Where a licence has been granted under this paragraph to any person, the Council may, if they think fit, transfer that licence to any other person on the application of that other person or the holder of the licence.

(6)Sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph shall not apply to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Royal Covent Garden Opera House, the Theatre Royal Haymarket . . . F4 or to any entertainment lawfully held by virtue of letters patent or licence of the Crown . . . F5

[F6(7)In this paragraph “premises” includes any place.]

2(1)An applicant for the grant or transfer of a licence under paragraph 1 of this Schedule in respect of any premises shall give to the Council . . . F1 to the commissioner of police in whose district the premises are situated [F2and to the [F3London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority] (in this Schedule referred to as “the fire authority”)] not less than twenty-one days’ notice of his intention to make the application and furnish such particulars and give such other notices as the Council may by regulations prescribe.

(2)An applicant for the renewal of a licence under the said paragraph 1 shall give to the Council [F4and the fire authority] twenty-eight days’ notice of his intention to make the application.

(3)In relation to an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of an occasional music licence, the two foregoing sub-paragraphs shall have effect as if for the reference to twenty-one or, as the case may be, twenty-eight days’ notice there were substituted a reference to fourteen days’ notice and as if the requirement as to notice to the commissioner of police were omitted.

[ F12A(1)This paragraph applies where the Council by whom a licence was granted under paragraph 1 of this Schedule in respect of any premises receive a report from the commissioner of police in whose district the premises are situated—

(a)stating that there is a serious problem relating to the supply or use of controlled drugs at the premises or at any premises nearby which are controlled by the holder of the licence; and

(b)giving reasons for his view that there is such a problem.

(2)An application for the renewal or transfer of the licence may be refused by the Council on the ground that they are satisfied that not renewing or transferring it will significantly assist in dealing with the problem.

(3)The Council shall give the reasons for their refusal of the application to—

(a)the holder of the licence; and

(b)in the case of an application for the transfer of the licence, the person to whom the licence would have been transferred if the application had been granted.

(4)A person to whom reasons are given may make representations to the Council; and the Council shall consider any representations within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which they receive them.

(5)After considering any representations, the Council shall (unless the date of expiry of the licence has passed) either—

(a)confirm the refusal of the application; or

(b)grant the application.

(6)The Council shall have regard in exercising their functions under this paragraph to such guidance as may be issued by the Secretary of State.

(7)In this paragraph “premises” includes any place.]

3The person making an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence under paragraph 1 of this Schedule shall (except where the licence is for an entertainment which in the opinion of the Council is of an educational or other like character or is given for a charitable or other like purpose) on making the application pay to the Council such fee as the Council may fix . . . F1

Indoor sports licences

[ F13A(1)Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, no premises in a London borough or the City of London shall be used for any entertainment which consists of any sporting event to which the public are invited as spectators (a “sports entertainment”) except under and in accordance with the terms of a licence granted under this paragraph by the Council.

(2)Sub-paragraph (1) above does not require a licence in respect of any occasion when the sporting event which constitutes the entertainment is not the principal purpose for which the premises are used on that occasion; but this provision does not apply in relation to a sports complex.

(3)Sub-paragraph (1) above does not apply to a sports entertainment held in a pleasure fair.

(4)The Council may grant to any applicant, and from time to time renew, a licence for the use of any premises specified in it for any sports entertainment on such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions as may be so specified.

(5)Subject to the next following sub-paragraph and to paragraph 19(3) of this Schedule, a licence granted under this paragraph shall, unless previously cancelled under paragraph 8 or revoked under paragraph 10(4) of this Schedule, remain in force for one year or for such shorter period specified in the licence as the Council think fit.

(6)The Council may grant a licence under this paragraph in respect of such one or more particular occasions only as may be specified in the licence, and a licence granted by virtue of this sub-paragraph is hereafter in this Schedule referred to as an “occasional sports licence”.

(7)Where a licence has been granted under this paragraph to any person the Council may if they think fit transfer that licence to any other person on the application of that other person or the holder of the licence.

(8)In this paragraph—

• “premises” means any permanent or temporary building and any tent or inflatable structure and includes a part of a building where the building is a sports complex but does not include a part of any other building;

• “sporting event” means any contest, exhibition or display of any sport;

• “sports complex” means a building—

(a)which provides accommodation and facilities for both those engaging in sport and spectators, and

(b)the parts of which are so arranged that one or more sports can be engaged in simultaneously in different parts of the building; and

• “sport” includes any game in which physical skill is the predominant factor and any form of physical recreation which is also engaged in for purposes of competition or display, except dancing (in any form).]

[ F13B(1)An applicant for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence under paragraph 3A or the variation of such a licence under paragraph 18 of this Schedule shall, not later than the day the application is made, send a copy of the application to the Commissioner and to the fire authority and, subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, no such application shall be considered by the Council unless the applicant complies with this sub-paragraph.

(2)Where an application for the grant, renewal, transfer or variation of a licence has been made and the applicant has failed to send a copy of the application in accordance with the requirement of sub-paragraph (1) above the Council may, in such cases as they think fit and after duly consulting with the party who was not supplied with a copy of the said application, waive such a requirement.

(3)In considering any such application the Council shall have regard to any observations submitted to them by the Commissioner and the fire authority within twenty-eight days of the making of the application and may have regard to any observation submitted by them thereafter.

(4)An applicant for any such grant, renewal, transfer or variation of a licence shall furnish such particulars and give such other notices, including the public advertisement of the application, as the Council may by regulation prescribe.

(5)Regulations under sub-paragraph (4) above may prescribe the procedure for determining applications.]

[ F13CThe person making an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence under paragraph 3A of this Schedule shall on making the application pay to the Council such fee as the Council may fix.]

Boxing and wrestling licences

4(1)This paragraph shall apply to any boxing or wrestling entertainment (that is to say, any public contest, exhibition or display of boxing or, as the case may be, wrestling) which is provided [F1wholly or mainly in the open air] in Greater London other than such an entertainment provided—

(a)by a travelling showman at a pleasure fair;

(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F2

(c)by members of the Boy Scouts’ Association or of any organisation constituted by the Boy Scouts’ Association in pursuance of their charter;

(d)by any school; or

(e)by a bona fide association, club, hospital or society not carried on for profit.

(2)A boxing or wrestling entertainment to which this paragraph applies shall not be given elsewhere than at premises licensed for the purpose in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph and in accordance with the terms of that licence.

(3)The Council may grant to any applicant therefor and from time to time renew a licence to use any premises specified therein for the purpose of a boxing or wrestling entertainment on such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions as may be so specified.

(4)Subject to the next following sub-paragraph and to paragraph 19 (3) of this Schedule, a licence granted under this paragraph shall, unless previously cancelled under paragraph 8 or revoked under paragraph 10 (4) of this Schedule, remain in force for one year or for such shorter period specified in the licence as the Council may think fit.

(5)The Council may grant a licence under this paragraph in respect of such one or more particular occasions only as may be specified in the licence, and a licence granted by virtue of this sub-paragraph is hereafter in this Schedule referred to as an [F3“occasional outdoor boxing or wrestling licence” ].

(6)Where a licence has been granted under this paragraph to any person, the Council may if they think fit transfer that licence to any other person on the application of that other person or the holder of the licence.

[F4(7)In this paragraph “premises” includes any place.]

[ F15(1)An applicant for the grant, renewal, transfer or variation of a licence under paragraph 4 or the variation of such a licence under paragraph 18 of this Schedule shall not later than the day the application is made send a copy of the application to the Commissioner and to the fire authority and, subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, no such application shall be considered by the Council unless the applicant complies with this sub-paragraph.

(2)Where an application for the grant, renewal, transfer or variation of a licence has been made and the applicant has failed to send a copy of the application in accordance with the requirement of sub-paragraph (1) above the Council may, in such cases as they think fit and after duly consulting with the party who was not supplied with a copy of the said application, waive such a requirement.

(3)In considering any such application the Council shall have regard to any observations submitted to them by the Commissioner and the fire authority within twenty-eight days of the making of the application and may have regard to any observation submitted by them thereafter.

(4)An applicant for any such grant, renewal, transfer or variation of a licence shall furnish such particulars and give such other notices, including the public advertisement of the application, as the Council may by regulation prescribe.

(5)Regulations under sub-paragraph (4) above may prescribe the procedure for determining applications.]

6The person making an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence under paragraph 4 of this Schedule shall on making the application pay to the Council such fee as the Council may fix . . . F1

[ F16AWhere, before the date of expiry of a licence granted under paragraph 1 [F2, 3A] or 4 of this Schedule, an application has been made for the renewal of that licence, the licence shall be deemed to remain in force notwithstanding that the date of expiry of the licence has passed, until the determination of the application by the Council or until the withdrawal of the application.]

[ F16BWhere, before the date of expiry of a licence granted under paragraph 1 [F2, 3A] or 4 of this Schedule, an application has been made for the transfer of that licence, the licence shall be deemed to remain in force (with any necessary modifications) notwithstanding that the date of expiry of the licence has passed or that the applicant for such transfer is carrying on at the premises in respect of which the licence was granted the functions to which the licence relates, until the determination of the application by the Council or the withdrawal of the application.]

Transmission and cancellation of licences

7In the event of the death of the holder of a licence granted under paragraph 1 [F1, 3A] or 4 of this Schedule, then, until a legal personal representative of the deceased holder has been duly constituted, the person carrying on at the premises in respect of which the licence was granted the functions to which the licence relates shall be deemed to be the holder of the licence unless and until it is transferred to some other person.

8The Council upon receiving from the holder of a licence under paragraph 1 [F1, 3A] or 4 of this Schedule which is for the time being in force a written request in that behalf accompanied by the licence may cancel the licence.

Power to impose general terms, conditions and restrictions by regulations

9(1)Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the Council may make regulations prescribing generally the terms, conditions and restrictions on and subject to which licences under paragraph 1 [F1, 3A] or 4 of this Schedule may be granted, renewed or transferred and, where any such regulations are made, then, without prejudice to the power of the Council to grant a licence on any special terms or conditions or subject to any special restrictions, every such licence shall be deemed to be granted subject to the regulations.

(2)Prima facie evidence of any regulations under this paragraph may be given in any legal proceedings by the production of a copy purporting to be certified as a true copy by the clerk to the Council or some other officer of the Council authorised to give a certificate for the purposes of this paragraph, and no proof shall be required of the handwriting or official position or authority of any person giving such a certificate.

Enforcement of paragraphs 1 to 9

[F19A(1)This paragraph applies where the Council by whom a licence was granted under paragraph 1 of this Schedule in respect of any premises receive a report from the commissioner of police in whose district the premises are situated—

(a)stating that there is a serious problem relating to the supply or use of controlled drugs at the premises or at any premises nearby which are controlled by the holder of the licence; and

(b)giving reasons for his view that there is such a problem.

(2)The Council may—

(a)revoke the licence; or

(b)impose terms, conditions or restrictions on or subject to which it is to be held,

on the ground that they are satisfied that to do so will significantly assist in dealing with the problem.

(3)The Council shall give the reasons for their revocation of the licence, or the imposition of the terms, conditions or restrictions, to the holder of the licence who may make representations to the Council; and the Council shall consider any representations within the period of twenty-one days beginning with the day on which they receive them.

(4)After considering any representations, the Council shall (unless the date of expiry of the licence has passed) either—

(a)confirm that the licence remains revoked or continues to have effect on or subject to the terms, conditions or restrictions which have been imposed; or

(b)reinstate the licence or determine that it has effect free of those terms, conditions or restrictions.

(5)The Council shall have regard in exercising their functions under this paragraph to such guidance as may be issued by the Secretary of State.

(6)In this paragraph “premises” includes any place.]

10(1)If at any premises any entertainment in respect of which a licence is required under paragraph 1 [F1, 3A] or 4 of this Schedule is provided without such a licence being held in respect thereof, then—

(a)any person concerned in the organisation or management of that entertainment; and

(b)any other person who, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that such an entertainment would be so provided at those premises—

(i)allowed the premises to be used for the provision of that entertainment; or

(ii)let the premises, or otherwise made the premises available, to any person by whom an offence in connection with the entertainment has been committed,

shall be guilty of an offence.

[F2(2)Subject to paragraph 11 of this Schedule, if—

(a)any person is the holder of a licence granted under the said paragraph 1 [F3, 3A] or 4, under section 21 (Licensing of public exhibitions, etc.) of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1966 or under section 5 (Licensing of entertainments booking offices) of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1978 in respect of any premises which have been used in contravention of any term, condition or restriction on or subject to which the licence is held; or

(b)any other person who, knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that the premises would be so used—

(i)allowed the premises to be so used; or

(ii)let the premises, or otherwise made the premises available, to any person who so used the premises;

he shall be guilty of an offence in respect of the contravention of each such term, condition or restriction.]

[F4(3)Any person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) of this paragraph shall be liable on summary conviction

(a)in the case of an offence to which sub-paragraph (3A) of this paragraph applies, to a fine not exceeding £20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both;

(b)in any other case, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both.

(3A)This sub-paragraph applies to

(a)any offence under sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph where the entertainment provided is entertainment in respect of which a licence is required under paragraph 1 of this Schedule; and

(b)any offence under sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph where the licence held is a licence granted under that paragraph and the term, condition or restriction which is contravened imposes a limit on the number of persons who may be present at the entertainment,

but excluding (in each case) any offence which would not be an offence if section 3 of the M1Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1978 (premises used for public entertainment consisting wholly or partly of human posing deemed to be premises used for public dancing) had not been enacted.]