Musicians’ Union seeks UK venue backing

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is continuing to lobby the UK Government to introduce an ‘Agent of Change Principle’ law to protect live music and entertainment venues.

The MU has identified a worrying trend of long established music venues being forced to close after only one or two complaints from neighbours, which often result in the issuing of noise abatement notices from the local authority. Noise issues have forced the closure of, for example, The Blind Tiger and the Freebutt in Brighton, the 200 Club in Newport, The Point in Cardiff and The Picturehouse in Edinburgh. Currently, Shepherd’s Bush Empire and Union Chapel – iconic London venues – are facing potential threats due to the development of apartments near to the venues.

The Agent of Change principle (which already exists in Australia) puts the legal responsibility of remedying any issues on to the person or persons who have brought about the changes that inadvertently affect an individual’s business. Under this law, in the case of a property developer building homes in the vicinity of a music venue, it would be the property developer’s legal and financial responsibility to use sound proofing to prevent any inconvenience to the residents and the music venue bears no responsibility, other than to continue to operate within the terms of their existing licence. Equally, if a new venue opens in a residential area, the venue is responsible for the cost.

Musicians’ Union General Secretary, John Smith, said: “Music venues across the country are vitally important – both for musicians and bands who rely on them for their livelihoods and for music fans and local communities. Venues must, of course, stick to the terms of their licence and residents must be able to complain if they do not comply or are causing a genuine nuisance. But a growing number of well-established venues have been forced to close or to undertake expensive noise reduction work as a result of noise complaints and abatement notices served by new developments. We would like the Government to consider introducing the Agent of Change principle in order to help protect these important cultural spaces.”