Model National Standard Conditions for Places of Entertainment

The thirtieth of January 2002 saw the publication of a work that may conclude more than 30 yearsí effort by the ABTT to achieve a national licensing standard for all theatres in the UK. With around 464 different licensing authorities working to different standards it is a wonder that any tour ever opened! Gone should be the days when touring managers bemoan the different standards applied in Bude and Bognor, Cromer and Camberwell. Production managers and stage managers moving theatres should find that the same basic licensing enforcement rules apply in each local authority area (outside Scotland - but it is hoped that the Scots may heed the southern example!). 


For many years the ABTT has striven for national standards agreed by enforcers and the industry on such matters as the construction of scenery, the fireproofing of props, the proper control of real flame and special effects, children in performance and fire drills. Gone should be the days when local authorities made off-the-cuff and sometimes quite ridiculous requirements based on ignorance and the lack of a common authoritative reference. Even within London, Camden and Westminster, Uxbridge and Richmond will no longer have a reason for inconsistency, whilst your friendly fireman will have full guidance readily available.


The Model National Standard Conditions for Places of Entertainment and Associated Guidance are produced by ABTT, the District Surveyors Association and the Local Government Licensing Forum. These Model National Standard Conditions cover operational matters and complement The Technical Standards for Places of Entertainment, which cover the physical requirements for building and maintaining entertainment premises. The Model National Standard Conditions are provided for the use of Councils and licensees nation-wide in the interests of achieving a uniform approach to licensing issues. They also provide a guide to good practice for anyone concerned with the management of places of entertainment. 


ABTT was alarmed to discover 18 months ago that The Model Rules of Management, which were based on the GLC Rules, had not been adopted by very many licensing authorities outside London, probably due to lack of publicity of their existence as well as a slight resentment against all things from London. The Local Government Licensing Forum had published proposed national guidance without being aware of The Model Rules! The ABTT took the lead in creating new national guidance. All parties agreed to amalgamate and revise both documents and to publish the new guidance jointly. The Standard Conditions will apply to all places of entertainment, not just theatres. 


The ABTT was delighted when David Adams was appointed as one of the two joint-chairmen of the Working Party, representing the entertainment industry at national level with Dr Colin Manchester, lecturer in law specialising in entertainment law from Birmingham University as co-chairman. The Working Party consisted of representatives from industry and enforcers. There followed a series of lengthy meetings. The ABTT Safety Committee contributed a large number of comments during the four monthsí public comment stage. And the final document was assembled over a very long week end in Birmingham ñ 4 days/3 sessions a day were time-tabled! 


The Model National Standard Conditions will be launched on 30 January 2002. The list of supporters is impressive including the ABTT, the Association of Building Engineers, the British Entertainment & Discotheque Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, the District Surveyors Association, the Local Government Association, the Local Government Licensing Forum, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the Society of Entertainment Licensing Practitioners and the Trading Standards Institute. Other organisations have also indicated their support for this initiative.