Music venues that are subject to noise complaints by nearby residential developments will be offered “greater protection” under new government plans.
The new measures, which are set to be introduced under the national licensing policy framework, mean that developers would have to take responsibility for soundproofing flats and apartments near existing pubs or music venues.
These changes are being implemented to prevent complaints to pubs and venues from people who live or work within earshot.
It follows a series of high-profile cases in recent years, including Night & Day Cafe in Manchester, which was issued a noise abatement notice by Manchester City Council in November 2021 due to a noise complaint from a resident who had moved to Manchester during lockdown.
The nearly three-year-long row ended with the venue being told to impose restrictions that limited noise late at night to a reasonable level.
New developments being opened near venues have been a cause for concern for owners faced with the risk of noise complaints from tenants.
It comes during a period where the UK music scene continues to face the “complete collapse” of touring, with huge areas going without live music, one venue closing every two weeks, and the uphill struggle for artists to afford to exist, let alone play live.
Plans for a new office block next to the Prince Albert pub in Brighton were approved on appeal in January, after being refused in November 2023. More than 1200 people objected to the planning application, and more than 22,000 have since signed a petition objecting to the plans.
Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, said that the venue faced a “slow death” if planning permission for a new development is allowed to go ahead.
Lambrini Girls perform at MOTH Club. CREDIT: Press
Elsewhere, London’s MOTH Club came under threat last September, when owners took to social media and called on local residents and fans to reach out to the borough’s planning department to contest a proposal for a new block of flats.
They were later hit with two separate planning applications for flats on Morning Road, next to MOTH Club, which were submitted to Hackney Council.
At the time of writing, the petition to oppose the planning applications has received more than 20,000 signatures, with owners urging people in posts shared earlier this month to “keep the pressure on, sign and share the petition and write to the council”. Visit here to find out more and to sign the petition.
The new protection will be ushered in under the “agent of change principle”, with the Department for Business and Trade saying it will consider further options to support established venues under the new framework.
Other measures in the overhaul include simplifying the process of opening and operating hospitality venues and scrapping local rules that delay small businesses from opening.
The business and trade secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said: “Red tape has stood in the way of people’s business ideas for too long. Today we’re slashing those barriers to giving small business owners the freedom to flourish,” per the Guardian.
Live performance at London’s MOTH Club. CREDIT: Press
New “hospitality zones” are also included, with more leniency on permissions for street parties and extended opening hours, which they hope will encourage people back onto high streets.
Speaking on the new changes, the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said pubs and bars were “at the heart of British life”.
Reeves said: “For too long, they’ve been stifled by clunky, outdated rules. We’re binning them – to protect pavement pints, alfresco dining and street parties – not just for the summer, but all year round.”
In other news, the Royal Albert Hall in London recently became the first arena to commit to the £1 LIVE ticket levy to help support grassroots venues, which sees £1 from every ticket sold invested back into the UK’s live music scene and helps smaller venues keep their doors open.
Huge names who have been supportive of a £1 ticket levy include Coldplay, Sam Fender and Katy Perry – who have all vowed to donate a portion of their tour revenues to support the grassroots sector.
In May, Wolf Alice‘s Joff Oddie also joined industry leaders at a government hearing and insisted that not enough progress was being made in saving venues and new artists. Then, the month prior, it was reported that UK tour ticket contributions have raised £500,000 for grassroots music venues thanks to artists like Pulp and Mumford & Sons.
The LIVE trust will offer vital financial support to those working across live music, and also looks to support numerous corners of the live music ecosystem, offering backing to venues, artists, festivals and promoters.
The push for change comes as 2023 proved to be “disastrous” and the worst year on record, with 125 grassroots music venues shutting their doors. At the beginning of the year, it was also reported that 70.6 per cent of independent UK acts have never toured, while 84 per cent of unsigned artists simply can’t afford to.
Visit here to find out more about the LIVE Trust and the £1 ticket levy.
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