Landmark jazz pub threatened
Famous jazz venue the Bull's Head in Surrey is hoping to win a reprieve from the local council after an injunction was placed on it to stop live music.
The venue, which boasts that since 1960 it has had more jazz performances than Ronnie Scott's, is situated next to a police garage which was rebuilt as residential flats. One resident who complained to the council about the noise has brought a raft of problems for tenant Dan Fleming who has been running the pub for Young's for 23 years.
He told the council and Laing, the builders responsible for the development four years ago, that there would be problems with noise for the new Barnes residents.
However, the council granted planning permission for the flats and issued a noise abatement order on November 15, 2004, which comes into effect on February 15.
There was an outcry to the move from jazz fans and support has come from Australia, the US and Brazil.
Young's has been working with the licensee, meeting with the local council and has put forward a range of measures to soundproof the building.
Mr Fleming said: "Young's is giving us tremendous support. Richmond Council has been helpful since they realised this is a landmark pub for jazz.
"They now appreciate the value of us to the community. They did not realise how important the pub is and have been helpful during the last few weeks."
Michael Hardman, spokesman for Young's, said: "A complaint from one of the residents of the flats led to the council serving a noise abatement order on Young's.
"This is a complex issue but both meetings were constructive, frank and helpful. We have been greatly helped by bringing in an acoustics consultant and we now look forward to putting the final touches to an agreement, which would allow the jazz to continue, as it has done for 45 years."
Trevor Pugh, director of environment at Richmond Council, said: "Following a series of discussions between the council, Young's and specialist advice from an acoustic consultancy, the brewery is considering improving sound insulation.
"We value the role the Bull's Head plays in promoting live jazz."
