Save our pubs
“In Moseley and Digbeth, very small numbers of people who happen to live near centers of musical activity might be in real danger of closing down venues which are of benefit to thousands. Its an absurd situation, but all too real for those involved.” From Rich Batsford.
the problem is rooted in the fact that licensing, planning and EHO are unalligned. there needs to be a directive for them to work together that comes from the top. And that's the problem. The crisises are taking place at a local level and neither the planners or licensing can do anything, even if they want to.
We are involved with the Custard Factory, Hare & Hounds and Bulls Head and this is an ongoing, very serious issue for us. We have found that we must work very closely with all the relevant departments and our communities, and this as ingrained in our daily activity as booking acts and buying beer.
It is a crazy state of affairs that the only way to stop this is to object to residential developments gaining planning permission in the first place. But this is a issue at policy level and fighting at a local level isn't going to work in the short term.
The environment health people should disregard complaints from new developments pertaining to existing facilities. It is ridiculous that you can build a house / flat next door to a venue which has played music for years and then complain about the noise. It's like moving to Bournville and then trying to get Cadbury's closed down because you don't like the smell of chocolate…..