Press Release

Licensing Act survey shows impact on village halls

28 June 2006

ACRE – Action with Communities in Rural England – today releases a summary of the findings of its recent survey of the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003. This is the second phase of longitudinal research that includes three surveys among village hall management committees throughout England.

Although village hall management committees feel confident that they now have a good grasp of the new licensing system, problems continue to arise due to the restrictions placed on halls under the system of Temporary Event Notices. Much work has been done by ACRE and the network of Village Hall Advisers employed by Rural Community Councils in England to raise the awareness of the problems.  However, the government appears reluctant to consider putting in place primary legislation to make the necessary changes.

The sale of alcohol in village halls may be incidental, but is an important activity that supports fundraising and other community events. The majority of village halls responding to the survey felt that the limit on Temporary Events Notices (TENs) was inadequate, particularly in those halls that did not include the sale of alcohol in their Premises Licence. This requires careful monitoring which unfortunately impacts negatively on community activity in rural areas. Evidence shows that bookings are being turned away to remain within the limit of the law. The committee of a community hall in Norfolk reported: “we have already lost £500 in booking fee income … as well as having to cancel two of our own fundraising events which could well have generated a further £1,000.”

The difficulties in operating under the Licensing Act need to be acknowledged. It is therefore recommended that the government recognises the impact of the Act on volunteers running halls and develops an effective strategy for addressing liability, regulation and training issues. The government also needs to acknowledge that the limit on TENs is unrealistic and that tolerance in cases of halls not complying with the Act will be called for unless this limit is raised to a reasonable level.

Deborah Clarke, ACRE’s Village Hall Information Officer, stated “Volunteers managing rural village halls already struggle with the level of legislation and regulation required for the effective management of their buildings.   Having to cope with a new system designed primarily for pubs and clubs in urban areas has not only added to this burden but affected their income and future sustainability.”