Hi
We're set up as a private members club theatre. We can't sell tickets to the general public, unless they are a guest of a member (and they have to sign in the guestbook).
We encourage non members to join as audience members if they come as guests to enable them to buy tickets themselves in future - but under current rules their membership does not start for 24 hours, so still have to sign in as guests.
Ideally we'd like to sell tickets to the general public - but cannot do this, as we understand the law at present without a public entertainment license.
I heard on the grapevine that there may be government plans to ditch the 24 hour rule, enabling people to walk in off the street and join a club instantly - is this true, and if so, when will it come into play?
Also - I am sure there are clubs where you can walk in off the street and gain 'instant' membership (comedy clubs for instance). Are these clubs breaking the law - or are there loopholes we can utilise?
Stuart Draper
Director
South London Theatre Ltd
Full Version: 24 hour members rule
Stuey,
Any changes to the club regs are covered by the [Entertainments] Licencing Bill (see the thread elsewhere on this site and also a thread on the same subject on your home [SLT] site).
My reading of the legislation from the Parilament web site is that the 24 hour rule will still be in place.
However, the literal interpretation of the legislation and the governments intended interpretation seem to be miles apart, so I find it hard to find definitive information on this subject. Various SLT members had been querying MPs, there is at least one reply in the SLT thread from Tessa Jowell. I have a holding response from my MP (Julian Lewis, Con) who has passed my questions on to one of the ministers.
Give your MP a hard time - it makes them feel wanted.
Any changes to the club regs are covered by the [Entertainments] Licencing Bill (see the thread elsewhere on this site and also a thread on the same subject on your home [SLT] site).
My reading of the legislation from the Parilament web site is that the 24 hour rule will still be in place.
However, the literal interpretation of the legislation and the governments intended interpretation seem to be miles apart, so I find it hard to find definitive information on this subject. Various SLT members had been querying MPs, there is at least one reply in the SLT thread from Tessa Jowell. I have a holding response from my MP (Julian Lewis, Con) who has passed my questions on to one of the ministers.
Give your MP a hard time - it makes them feel wanted.
Clubs:
The Licensing Bill contains the new proposed rules for members clubs. In fact, one complete section of the Bill is dedicated to the subject! In order to continue to be classed as a club, the club rules must state that there is an interval of 2 dyas between nomination or application and their admission as a member. It must have at least 25 members, and be established and conducted in good faith as a club - that is, it cannot be used just as a vehicle to avoid the rules - so any gains or profits must be used for the club or for charitable, benevolent or political purposes.
If you do not like these new rules, lobby your MP before they become law.
For more details of the Licensing Bill, see the separate thread. My website has links to a full summary of the Bill, and the Parliament Web site for updates.
The above is a brief summary of a complicated and changing area of law, and is for general guidance only - if you need legal advice - contact a professional!
The Licensing Bill contains the new proposed rules for members clubs. In fact, one complete section of the Bill is dedicated to the subject! In order to continue to be classed as a club, the club rules must state that there is an interval of 2 dyas between nomination or application and their admission as a member. It must have at least 25 members, and be established and conducted in good faith as a club - that is, it cannot be used just as a vehicle to avoid the rules - so any gains or profits must be used for the club or for charitable, benevolent or political purposes.
If you do not like these new rules, lobby your MP before they become law.
For more details of the Licensing Bill, see the separate thread. My website has links to a full summary of the Bill, and the Parliament Web site for updates.
The above is a brief summary of a complicated and changing area of law, and is for general guidance only - if you need legal advice - contact a professional!
QUOTE (keitha @ Jan 28 2003, 9:09 PM)
In order to continue to be classed as a club, the club rules must state that there is an interval of 2 dyas between nomination or application and their admission as a member. It must have at least 25 members, and be established and conducted in good faith as a club - that is, it cannot be used just as a vehicle to avoid the rules - so any gains or profits must be used for the club or for charitable, benevolent or political purposes.
Well that's how we've been working for nearly 40 years! So no plans to ditch the 48-hour rule then? Shame ....
One theatre local to us ensures that one member (the ticket buyer) of each party coming along is a fully paid up member - at least 48 hours in advance. I often wondered what this was for. Now I know.
They own their own theatre for which they got a ?1million lottery grant, but they're not allowed to let any other groups use it.
It always seems a shame when a lot of people want to come along on the last day or 2 and they have to turn them away, even when they have empty seats.
Mainly, though, due to good marketing, they do well.
They own their own theatre for which they got a ?1million lottery grant, but they're not allowed to let any other groups use it.
It always seems a shame when a lot of people want to come along on the last day or 2 and they have to turn them away, even when they have empty seats.
Mainly, though, due to good marketing, they do well.
Hi Again
Could you confirm something for me.
Am I right in thinking that as a members club, only MEMBERS can buy tickets on behalf of guests.
On top of that, guests cannot be bought tickets less than 48 hours before a performance - ie if a guest turned up with a member on the night of a show and wanted to buy a ticket they couldn't do so - they have to have been booked in by a member at least 48 hours before the show?
Thanks!
Could you confirm something for me.
Am I right in thinking that as a members club, only MEMBERS can buy tickets on behalf of guests.
On top of that, guests cannot be bought tickets less than 48 hours before a performance - ie if a guest turned up with a member on the night of a show and wanted to buy a ticket they couldn't do so - they have to have been booked in by a member at least 48 hours before the show?
Thanks!
Hi - the definition of "members club" is set in legislation, and involves restrictions on who the club can deal with. The "48" hour rule relates to membership - ie a 48 hour period must elapse between application and membership. So a guest turning up on the night could not be admitted to membership immediately, although the club's rules might allow the guest to attend as a guest of the existing member.
Keith
Keith
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