Bristol’s Thekla music venue under threat of closure

The Thekla music venue (Image credit: Getty)

The future of Bristol’s famous Thekla music venue is under threat due to plans for a proposed residential development.

The club is moored in the Mud Dock area of Bristol’s floating harbour, with The Bristol Post reporting that planners are seeking to transform three derelict buildings into homes, office and leisure space at the nearby Redcliffe Wharf.

The newspaper say that a planning committee is due to meet to make a decision on the application later today (Wednesday).

It is feared that if the development gets the green light, noise regulations could spell the end for the venue.

The Music Venue Trust’s Mark Davyd tells The Bristol Post: “Sensible and adequately planned residential developments near to grassroots music venues like the Thekla mean that residents and music lovers can happily co-exist.

“That outcome starts at the planning application stage when a good developer recognises the cultural value of the existing music venue and takes steps to protect it.

“Recognising the existence of an iconic music venue like Thekla starts with a thorough environmental impact study that specifically understands the noise in the area.

“Properly understanding noise and activity results in great design for any refurbishment or new building, ensuring noise is managed and controlled, and in commitments such as Deed of Easement and accurate marketing to future residents.”

He adds: “We are concerned if that process has happened so far in the proposed development near Thekla and would encourage the developer to start it.”

The venue has now launched a Save Thekla social media campaign, urging people to use the #savethekla hashtag.

In 2014, Bristol’s The Fleece was placed in a similar situation, but remained open when the city council proposed a number of strict noise level requirements.

Earlier this year, the plight of many small venues in England was highlighted when Arts Council England rejected a funding application from the charity Music Venue Trust whose goal is to “improve and protect UK grassroots music venues for the benefit of venues, communities and upcoming artists.”

Many smaller venues across the UK, including Manchester’s Roadhouse and the Cockpit in Leeds, have been forced to close their doors in recent years due to noise abatement legislation, rising rents and plans to convert the land they occupy into office space and residential property.

Earlier this year, Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson condemned the closure of small music venues across the UK and called for more to be done to ensure their future.

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Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.