The beat goes on as music venue saved from closure
A pub's world-famous jazz club has been saved from closure thanks to the support of its regulars and brewer Young's.
The legendary venue at the Bull's Head in Barnes, South-West London, is to continue hosting live music after Young's agreed to spend £64,000 on soundproofing the music room - as part of an agreement with Richmond Council.
The pub had been under threat since it was issued with a noise abatement order following complaints from residents in new flats next door.
Tenant Dan Fleming, who has run the pub for 23 years, said: "There was a huge volume of protest from people. But now they are over the moon that we will continue hosting live jazz."
The order was due to come into effect last month, until the venue's last-minute reprieve.
The proposed ban had prompted an outcry from jazz fans at the club, which has hosted music for 45 years - including appearances by Coleman Hawkins, Humphrey Lyttleton and Jamie Cullum. Support to save the venue has come from as far afield as Australia, the US and Brazil.
The agreement was reached after a series of meetings between Mr Fleming, Young's representatives and officers from Richmond Council.
Michael Hardman, a Young's spokesman, said: "The council was sympathetic towards our position and brought in an acoustics consultant to help us draw up a schedule of works to improve sound insulation - at a cost of less than half of what we were originally quoted.
"We have been encouraged by hundreds of letters, emails and telephone calls from jazz fans pressing us to do everything in our power to keep the music going."
Trevor Pugh, director of environment at Richmond Council, said: "We believe the work will enable the pub to comply with the noise abatement order. It will also ensure this renowned jazz venue can continue to thrive in harmony with its neighbours."
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Landmark jazz pub threatened (27 January 2005)
