Arts events licence plan set for U-turn

PLANS to force free arts events to secure a licence look set to be scrapped following an outcry from across the city.

A range of organisations expressed fears about the impact the proposal would have on grassroots events in Edinburgh, including increased costs and red tape.

The city’s chair of the licensing committee, Councillor Rob Munn, hinted of a U-turn via the social networking site Twitter.

It would follow a similar ruling by Glasgow last month following pressure there.

Cllr Munn said the local authority was “pulling out all the stops to ensure grassroots arts events need no licence”.

The man behind the Summer- hall arts centre on the city’s Southside, Rupert Thomson, added: “Small events are usually no more risky than many day-to-day activities, and to require a licence for these seems entirely unnecessary and unhelpful.”