Bristol City Council has denied a proposition to convert the arts venue into a building of office spaces.
On 30 April, the owners of the building presented the council with a proposal to convert the multidisciplinary venue into a building with bars, lounges, function rooms and a skittle alley, with the upper floor to be comprised of offices. Earlier this week, the planning proposal was refused by the council. The refusal comes after numerous local musicians and creatives submitted their written objections to the proposal.
The former working man’s club was taken over at the beginning of this year by over 30 artists, performers, filmmakers and curators. Artists including Rashad Becker, Yves Tumor, Klein, DJ Katapila, Giant Swan and Vessel have all performed at the venue over the last 12 months.
According to Brunswick House’s Facebook page, “The project was set up as a catalyst for collaboration across art forms providing much-needed rehearsal space to Residence, studio and project spaces, a photochemical darkroom and sound studio, installation and exhibition space.”
The news comes amidst the clampdown on UK nightlife. Recently, Hackney Council approved a controversial licensing policy to enforce midnight curfews on new clubs, bars and pubs during the weekends. Over the past year, various music venues in Bristol have been threatened with closure. Noise complaints from luxury flats forced live music venue The Surrey Vaults to close in November and last year, Thekla expressed its concerns over the possibility of receiving noise complaints from proposed residential developments nearby.
