Singer Rihanna was one of the star attractions at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 in Madrid, Spain
Rihanna performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 in Madrid, Spain
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Host Eva Longoria Parker on stage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eva Longoria Parker
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Host Eva Longoria Parker (L) and Katy Perry (R) on stage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eva Longoria Parker;Katy Perry
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Dizzee Rascal and Shakira perform during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dizzee Rascal;Shakira
Rihanna performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 in Madrid, Spain
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Host Eva Longoria Parker on stage during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eva Longoria Parker
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Rihanna performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Rihanna performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Miley Cyrus performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Miley Cyrus
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Musician Ke$ha performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ke$ha
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Fans waiting for the show of Thirty Seconds to Mars at Puerta de Alcala on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jordi Vidal/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Rihanna performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Shakira performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Shakira
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 07: Rihanna performs during the MTV Europe Music Awards 2010 live show at La Caja Magica on November 7, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rihanna
Shakira performs on stage during the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Shakira performs on stage during the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin
Lady Gaga won three prizes at the MTV Europe Music Awards (AP)
Katy Perry on stage at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin, Germany.
The Backstreet Boys, (left to right) Howie Dorough, A. J. McLean, (hidden), Nick Carter and Brian Littrell on stage at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Beyonce accepts the award for Best Video at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters perform on stage during the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin
Katy Perry on stage during the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Beyonce on stage during the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Beyonce on stage during the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin, Germany. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday November 5, 2009. See PA story SHOWBIZ MTV. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
Katy Perry and Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters on stage at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the 02 Arena in Berlin, Germany.
By Lesley-Anne Henry
– 30 June 2011
Belfast's pubs and clubs will not be able to cash in when the MTV European Music Awards roll into the Odyssey Arena on November 6.
Instead of hosting glitzy aftershow events for pop icons like Beyoncé, Rhianna and Katy Perry, entertainment venues in the Odyssey Pavilion will have shut up shop as the A-listers are whisked away to a private party at the Titanic Paint Hall.
Under current legislation, some nightclubs are permitted to play music until 3am. However, alcohol cannot be sold or even consumed on licensed premises after 1am.
And, despite pleas from the Pubs of Ulster and some city councillors, the strict laws are unlikely to be changed in time for the massive money-spinning gig. In an email to Belfast City Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, who are paying more than £500,000 towards staging the awards, organisers said closing the bars was "not an option" and "would create enormous problems for MTV."
Hence, the Paint Hall has been mooted as an alternative for the aftershow event, which is planned to continue until 6am and will include a full, open bar. Private parties in unlicensed premises are not governed by the same strict laws.
Colin Neill from Pubs of Ulster said the current legislation meant Belfast was unable to capitalise on the massive opportunity.
"We are missing a trick," he said. "We do need to look again at these laws. We do not want 24-hour licensing laws but we believe in controlled licensing."
Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Nelson McCausland said he had met stakeholders to look at licensing law reviews but noted there was "not enough time" to change the law before November.
"An accelerated passage would not allow enough time for scrutiny," the DUP minister said.
Background
The MTV European Music Awards celebrate the most popular music videos and are voted for by the public.
They are in their 18th year. Lady Gaga cleaned up during the 2010 show in Madrid winning gongs for Best Pop, Best Female and Best Song. Katy Perry, Shakira and Rihanna played at the event.
The event is beamed live to millions of homes in up to 160 countries.
The UK has staged the event three times, in London, Liverpool and Edinburgh.
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