Andy Burnham urged to make clubs and pubs ‘cultural assets’ like opera houses

Pubs and clubs need to be placed as ‘cultural assets’ alongside opera houses to protect them against Nimbys from shutting them down, a think tank has urged Andy Burnham.

Under new proposals seen by Metro, a new ‘Asset of Cultural Value’ planning category and the creation of cultural districts will give venues protection from being shuttered, as well as providing business rate relief.

It comes as the new Prime Minister has offered hospitality venues

But think tank Good Growth Foundation has proposed he go even further.

They have said if a venue is within a legally recognized cultural district, noise complaints would no longer default to bureaucratic back-and-forth, but place the burden of proof on complaints to show conditions have changed.

And this will be hard for them to do, as the new proposals also include an ‘Eyes Wide Open’ clause in all rental and sales agreements, which force new residents to recognize they are signing up to live in an area which is noisier than others.

This has unfortunately been the case for Soho, which has had residents’ groups operate with a blanket objection policy to planning and licensing applications.

Housing developers who fail to install proper sound-proofing will also be forced to pay, and any nearby developments would have to be assessed to make sure there is no impact on the venue.

This can include assessing whether new residential buildings could lead to nearby pubs being tarnished with noise complaints.

It is not just nightlife districts within cities. The last pub in every village should also be given an English-heritage style blue plaque to signal its protection.

The Good Growth Foundation has launched the campaign following years of nightlife across London and the rest of the UK being picked away by Nimbys.

The proposals form part of GGF’s new report, ‘Don’t Stop the Music: Protecting Britain’s right to joy and the nights that shape us’.

Lord Tom Watson, writing the foreword of the report, said: ‘We have seen in cities such as Manchester what happens when local leaders recognize the potential of the sector.

‘Nightlife can help bring a town or city center back to life. It creates buzz, supports jobs, gives young people a reason to stay, and sends a powerful signal that this is a place where things happen.

‘I welcome the findings of this report by the Good Growth Foundation. Its message is clear: if we value music, culture and community, we must value the places where they happen.’

Praful Nargund, Director of The Good Growth Foundation, said: ‘If you move into an area famous for pubs, clubs and live music, you should do so with your eyes open to the fact that there will be more noise rather than expect to use complaints and litigation to silence the culture that was already there.

‘Otherwise a vocal minority is able to wage a war on fun against the venues and neighborhoods that give British towns and cities their energy. 

‘These locations are good for growth and good for our ability to have fun. The right to joy, community and a great night out should not be surrendered to people who want lively places to become lifeless.’

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