News / Bristol
Bristol music venues rally to support Labour
Some of Bristol’s most prominent independent music venues have thrown their collective weight behind Labour as the party to safeguard the city’s vibrant night life and culture.
Owners and promoters from the Exchange, The Louisiana, Mothers Ruin and The Fleece have publicly announced their support for Kerry McCarthy and Thangam Debbonaire and warned it will be a dark day for the city if the Tories are returned to power.
Each of the four venues have come under threat due to noise complaints and the Labour candidates, for Bristol East and Bristol West respectively, have actively campaigned to safeguard their future.
The Fleece’s Chris Sharp says Labour offers the best policies to protect the future of grass root music venues
The group has slammed a Conservative Government that they say does not value the cultural importance of preserving a vibrant live music scene and blamed a planning loophole that has allowed office blocks to be converted into flats, leading to the clash between residents and the venues.
Matt Otridge of The Exchange said: “All four of our venues have either received noise complaints that have proven to be costly and threatened our business, or have the threat of current development causing us noise complaints.
“In every one of these circumstances it’s been because people have moved into the area and complained – despite the fact that we are all very considerate in terms of sound proofing.
“I knew that every one of us were supporting Labour in this election and it seemed appropriate to campaign together on something that has caused us all major issues and show support for Kerry and Thangam, who have both worked to address this issue.”
Marc Griffiths of the Mothers Ruin added: “The Conservative Government, as the coalition before them, do not value the night time economy, ignore its cultural significance and only judge it, not by what it brings to a city as vibrant as Bristol, but only in terms of public order offences and policing costs. All this despite the benefits in revenues and tourism a thriving nightlife brings.
“If we want Bristol to remain the thriving, vibrant rebel city it has always been then this Government must be thrown out on June 8. If they are returned it will be a dark day for the nightlife of the city we all love.”
Mig Schillace’s family own and run The Louisiana and were forced to sell their home to cover the £90,000 cost of soundproofing the venue’s main room due to complaints from a neighbour.
He said: “We support Labour as they have always shown support to live music venues as well as their backing of the NHS, education policies and putting more police on the streets.”
Owner of The Fleece Chris Sharp said the party offers the best policies for protecting the future of grass root music venues in the UK.
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