OPINION
How licensing can foster an inclusive night-time economy
Black Lives in Music CEO Dr . Charisse Beaumont outlines the barriers facing Black , Asian and ethnic minority promoters , and what her organisation is doing to remove them
Across the UK , events organised by Black and Brown communities are frequently cancelled without evidence or transparency , often at the last minute . This reflects long-standing discriminatory practices within licensing . After Black Lives in Music ( BLiM ) and Musician ’ s Union ( MU ) petitioned London ’ s Mayor Sadiq Khan with their concerns about the lack of inclusivity in the live music industry , a working group was established in response . Now BLiM , in collaboration with the Greater London Authority ( GLA ), the Mayor ’ s Office for Policing and Crime ( MOPAC ), and the MU , is investigating the effects of these licensing policies on ethnically diverse music events .
The Licensing Act of 2003 was introduced to promote a more relaxed drinking culture by eliminating set operating hours . However , this also shifted regulatory powers from magistrates to local authorities working in partnership with the police , leaving licence holders with increased responsibility for policing their venues . This shift has created additional risks for smaller operators .
Licences are often refused based on four core objectives : prevent crime and disorder , promote public safety , prevent public nuisance , and protection of children from harm . Research by BLiM has shown that Black and ethnically diverse promoters are disproportionately impacted , with their events targeted by over-policing tactics . These tactics , including the sharing of “ gang lists ” and informal and often verbal warnings to venues , lead to cancellations in the absence of clear evidence . Venue operators , fearing the loss of their licences , often feel pressured to cancel events .
Bias in licensing decisions Music events featuring genres such as reggae and dancehall are more frequently met with objections compared to multigenre events . Black cultural venues in particular often struggle to secure extended operating hours , while nearby pubs remain open , sometimes offering similar music . There are cases where a large venue called an artist to cancel at the
“ THESE UNFOUNDED OBJECTIONS OFTEN MASK A DEEPER RACIAL BIAS IN DECISION MAKING .”
last minute in fear of losing their licence after an internet search revealed they play hip-hop . This disparity reveals how racial bias continues to affect who gets to participate in the night-time economy .
The barriers faced by Black , Asian and ethnic minority promoters and other entrepreneurs prevent them from fully contributing to the culture and economic growth of the night-time economy , stifling their opportunities for success .
Dr . Charisse Beauont
Addressing the issues Smaller promoters are at a disadvantage compared to larger organisations like AEG or Live Nation , even when showcasing top-tier talent . Events like Bollywood nights have been shut down for extended periods , with authorities citing vague safety concerns . These unfounded objections often mask a deeper racial bias in decision-making .
The Race Equality in Music Events Licensing ( REMEL ) project , launched by BLiM in collaboration with GLA , UK Music , and the Metropolitan Police , seeks to tackle these disparities head-on using best practices from across the world . REMEL ’ s goal is to develop a transparent and equitable licensing model through a data-led , evidence-based approach that ensures equitable treatment across all aspects of the music industry .
Moving Towards Fairness in Licensing Although issues of miscommunication and inconsistency between authorities and venues persist , some boroughs , such as Islington and Lambeth , offer positive examples of how inclusive licensing can work . These successes demonstrate that fair and transparent practices are possible . By working with REMEL , London ’ s night-time economy can become more inclusive and better support the diverse communities that enrich it . accessaa . co . uk 15