Owning a music venue can be incredibly difficult trying to navigate changing legislation, musical trends, technology and ever-rising costs that ultimately buffets those who just want to host a good night of music. There has been a worrying trend in the UK of music venues shuttering their doors in recent years faster than they have been opening. The government has realized this is a problem and took steps to try and rectify the issue, enacting some legislation that it hopes will help to stem the tide of closing music venues.
Explained by the Music Venue Trust, an organization that helped lobby on the behalf of music venues across the UK for this reform, the law will do a few important things.
It explains that in recent years, development rights have been extended in certain cases without going through a full planning system, which has impacted music venues in the immediate area of these new developments.
The new law will force developers to take into account noise levels when building new buildings, so they won't be able to change office space to residential buildings near a music venue.
"We warmly welcome this breakthrough for the UK's grassroots music venues. This common sense move by the government provides an opportunity for local authorities to use their powers to ensure that live music continues to play a vital economic, cultural and social role in our towns and cities," said Mark Davyd of Music Trust in a statement. "For music venues, this has never been about stopping development or preventing the creation of much needed new housing; it's always been about ensuring that new development recognizes the culture, economy and vibrancy of city centers by building great housing, enabling existing music venues and new residents to live in harmony. This is a major victory for the UK's music venues and music fans. The fight to protect, secure and improve them goes on."
The new regulations won't be loved by developers in the UK who are looking to take advantage of sky-high property priced especially around London where there is a serious shortage of housing.
The law will come into effect on April 6.
