Bolton hypnotism: Ban on shows to be lifted after 42 years

Robert Temple successfully challenged the ban on hypnosis in Bolton

A 42-year ban on hypnotism events in a town is set to come to an end after councillors licensed a performance at the town hall.

Robert Temple has been given permission to perform his comedy hypnotism show at Albert Halls in Bolton on Saturday night after a review of the policy.

Bolton Licensing Committee chair, Sean Fielding, said the regulation seemed "arcane and dated".

He apologised to Mr Temple, who had to submit a written statement.

Mr Fielding said: "I'd like to thank Mr Temple for his thorough statement he made.

"I'm sorry he had to go to so much trouble."

'Induced sleep'

He added: "This regulation was brought in more than 40 years ago and I've asked whether we can repeal it as it seems arcane and dated.

"I hope we are able to rewrite the policy."

A council licensing panel voted unanimously on Wednesday to allow the performance to go ahead.

Under the Hypnotism Act 1952, local councils must authorise any show which includes "hypnotism, mesmerism and any similar act which produces induced sleep or trance" which makes the person "susceptible to suggestion or direction".

However, in 1982 the council was given jurisdiction to refuse or grant licences and decided it would not hear applications for such shows.

Mr Temple told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he hoped to persuade Bolton Council to streamline their licensing service to make applying to perform similar shows easier.

He said: "My performance on Saturday will be the first legal hypnotism show in Bolton for 42 years.

"The policy has been handed down over the years from licensing committee to licensing committee but I've eventually got them to question it."

More than 200 tickets have already been sold for this weekend's show.