New plans passed to protect Liverpool's music venues

Liverpool council voted this morning to pass new plans to protect the city's live music venues.

The plans are to adopt the 'Agent of Change' principle, which essentially means that those bringing change to an area in the way of new built structures, close to existing music venues, are responsible for ensuring the new buildings are properly soundproofed.

This should then eliminate noise complaints made by tenants in newly built living spaces, which have, in some cases, caused existing music venues to close.

Kevin McManus, Liverpool’s Head of UNESCO City of Music and Music Board member, said on the matter:

“It’s the law that any entertainment venue moving into a residential area needs to take measures to ensure they don’t cause noise problems for those nearby – so why wouldn’t the same apply for new developments that are built near established music businesses?

“Too often, music venues become a victim of developers and we are seeing increasing issues in the city at the moment. The Baltic Triangle is a prime example and if we can adopt the Agent of Change policy we can ensure that our enviable music scene and the city’s regeneration ambitions can co-exist.”

Unfortunately a number of Liverpool venues, including the legendary Kazimier, have been forced to close in recent years. However, following the example set by London with the Agent of Change principle, music lovers should stand more chan ce of seeing their favourite live music spaces preserved.

Image: Hannah Metcalfe