BLACKBURN with Darwen Council has had another brainwave - forcing all the pubs to obtain a full music licence if they wish to hold a karaoke evening or put on a solo artist using backing tapes.

The current law was made in 1964 and did not allow for today's technology.

Firstly, there is the safety issue. Safety standards have actually risen, not only with modern equipment, but also with today's power points, trip switches and fuse boxes.

As for overcrowding, when was the last time somebody died due to overcrowding in a Darwen pub?

The cost of obtaining a full music licence can be as high as £8,000, making it impossible for most pubs to pay.

We were told that Stockport Council has also taken the same approach to this issue. However, this was proven incorrect - at a recent meeting when local music agent Jon Peters stated that all of his work in Darwen has vanished due to pubs being threatened with fines, but in Stockport he continues to supply more than 30 acts on a weekly basis. This makes Blackburn with Darwen the only council in the North West to actively take such a strong stance.

Are we expected to be in bed by 10 o'clock? And Blackburn is hoping for city status!

G WARD (Mr), Priory Drive, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.