Decision due on future of under-threat live music stage at Lancaster pub

Wednesday, 17 January 2024 15:15

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Councillors are due to vote on whether a Lancaster pub can keep its popular live music stage.

Hundreds of people have backed Ye Olde John O'Gaunt's campaign to save its performance stage although Lancaster City Council said it has to be removed.

The venue has applied for listed building consent to retain the stage, which the council's conservation team says damages the character of the 19th century pub.

They have recommended that the application be refused.

But the council planning committee - a group of elected councillors - will have the final say when they meet at Morecambe Town Hall on Monday, January 29.

The stage was installed at the Market Street venue in 2023 and has proven a big hit with musicians, customers and staff alike.

But Lancaster City Council warned landlady Claire Tomlinson to remove the stage and told her that enforcement action would be taken unless she does.

This is because installing the stage (below) needed special permission as the John O'Gaunt is a Grade II listed building - meaning the pub is of historical interest and importance.

The council has received 205 letters calling for the stage to be saved, from members of the public.

Supporters of the pub say it has improved live music performances, safety and accessibility at the John O'Gaunt.

Support mounts as Lancaster pub bids to keep under-threat live music stage - Beyond Radio

But a council report published on Wednesday said: "Whilst the council is broadly supportive of the local pub and live music scene recognising the benefits that this has to the community and local economy, it is considered that the stage is a poor quality and unsympathetic addition which negatively affects the internal character and special interest of the listed building.

"This harm is not considered to be clearly and convincingly justified, and not outweighed by the limited public benefits."

The report says the 19th century venue is "within the Lancaster conservation area and adjacent to other listed buildings".

"The appearance and size of the stage are the key contributors to this identified negative effect," it says.

"The positioning of the stage is considered to prevent full legibility and function of the bow window frontage as an interior space, including via negative impacts on the glazed entrance screen and flanking fireplace (chimney breast).

"Whilst it is recognised that other parts of the interior have been somewhat changed and refurbished over the years and that the stage is relatively low-rise, this front part of the public house was previously on a single level with no balustrades or raised areas, and has been relatively unchanged over recent years.

"The stage is also located at the front of the building so is seen on entry and also against the characterful stained glass bow window altering the listed building’s spatial and visual character.

"The Conservation Team also identified a risk of damage to the decorative stained glass bow window due the stage’s proximity to it.

"There is also further harm to the significance of the building via the inappropriate material palette and detailing (in particular the stage flooring material and balustrades), which are not of an appropriate quality and appearance in the context of the listed building and visually affect the interior ensemble."

The meeting on January 29 will start at 10.30am and is open to the public.