More pubs in the UK are putting on live music according to government research.

A MORI survey of smaller venues commissioned by the Department of Culture Media and Sport has found that 63 per cent – a 3 per cent increase – of pubs, clubs and nightclubs now have a licence for live music since the introduction of the new rules brought in under the Licensing Act which came into effect in November 2005.

The research also found that 25 per cent of premises now have a licence to put on music for the first time.

Of the 7 per cent of venues that used to operate under the ‘two in a bar rule’ – whereby a public entertainment licence was not needed where only one or two musicians performed at one time – 70 per cent now have live music licences and the fewer than 2 per cent have had their licence applications refused.

Licensing minister Shaun Woodward said: “It’s early days, but this survey is encouraging and shows smaller venues getting to grips with the new laws on licensing.”

Feargal Sharkey, former singer of punk group The Undertones and chair of the Live Music Forum – which was set up by the DCMS to monitor the impact of the act – added: “This picture is encouraging, but there’s always room for improvement.

“The forum will publish its final assessment of the new legislation with recommendations on how the government can make our live music industry even more successful next year.” Details: www.culture.gov.uk