Healthy Competition and English Law

Healthy Competition in the dance business improves the product for customers. In a competitive environment, each dance business strives to be better than the rest and improve their product - this can only be good for the customer.

Businesses, by English Law must avoid "ways of agreeing not to compete". This includes things commonly done by some dance businesses like carving up the month and agreeing not to put on events on the same nights.

Not only does "agreeing not to compete" mean that there is less price competition, it also means that businesses do not need to strive quite so hard to improve their product.

Some may argue this law applies only to large businesses. However, HMGov are very clear about this when they write "All businesses, whatever their size, must understand how they’re affected by competition law."

For example, consider McDonalds and Burger King. Both compete in the fast food business. There would be far less pressure on pricing if they agreed to open on alternate days - of course, this is unthinkable - some dance organisers seem to think their competition should enter into this kind of agreement.