INTERVIEW: "I'll sleep tonight...it's amazing!" says Lancaster pub landlady after live music stage is saved

A Lancaster pub landlady was in tears of joy after a council vote allowed her to keep her under-threat live music stage.

Claire Tomlinson of the John O'Gaunt was hugged one-by-one by dozens of supporters who'd packed into Morecambe Town Hall as they celebrated the decision on Monday.

There were huge rounds of applause and loud cheers as councillors voted almost unanimously to allow the stage to stay, after Claire and others spoke out passionately about its importance to the pub and the city's thriving live music scene.

Council officers had originally said the stage should be removed, saying it damaged the character of the 19th century John O'Gaunt.

Beyond Radio spoke to Claire and other ecstatic supporters of the Market Street pub, on the steps of the town hall after the decision was announced.

"It's amazing, just amazing," said Claire, who had run a public campaign to 'Save the Stage' backed by huge numbers of staff, customers and  musicians.

"I'll sleep tonight, I've not slept in about five days. And I think I know where we're going now, to celebrate!"

LISTEN to the reaction from the John O'Gaunt team after the decision

Musician Sam Frank, who'd spoken out in favour of keeping the stage at Monday's meeting, said it was "a decision for the people".

And Councillor Nick Wilkinson, who'd also backed the campaign, said: "I'm very glad that common sense has prevailed."

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

But Lancaster City Council warned Claire to remove it and told her that enforcement action would be taken unless she did

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.

A total of 205 people wrote to the council calling for the stage to be saved.

But a council report, published earlier this month, 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."

Council officers recommended that the John O'Gaunt's application for listed building consent, be refused.

But Councillor Wilkinson, of the Greens, 'called in' the application, ensuring it would be debated at a public meeting by elected councillors.

There was standing room only at Monday's crucial meeting, as supporters crammed into the town hall chamber to hear the debate.

Sam Frank, speaking at the meeting, said he'd performed in the pub for 12 years and hosted its 'open mic' nights.

He said the stage provided "a safe and accessible area for musicians to showcase their talents" and had "prevented overcrowding" at the front of the pub, "reducing on-stage accidents".

Rachel Harrison, who works at the John O'Gaunt, said the stage "fits with the look of the building" and many customers "thought the stage had been there for years".

"Live music has become so important to Lancaster," she said.

"These musicians deserve to have an area dedicated to them where even at the back of the pub, they can be seen and heard."

Jack Spencer, a blind musician who performs in the Gaunt, said the stage had been "entirely beneficial" with "no material detriment whatsoever".

"As a blind musician with mobility challenges who has played at the venue for many years, I find it a much safer experience," he said.

Jamie Walker, of top Lancaster band LOWES, also spoke out at the meeting about "the risks and challenges" facing small live music venues.

"In this city we probably take for granted that we have a venue that puts on music seven nights a week," he said.

"It's a place where bands can start out and have an opportunity.

"When there is a stage at a venue, as a musician, it gives me a psychological boost, as opposed to being on the floor."

Dan Milligan, who also spoke out in favour of the stage, implored councillors not to "spoil it for a lot of people".

Claire Tomlinson then told councillors that it "never crossed my mind" that she needed council permission in the first place as the stage was only fixed to the wall by "six small screws".

"I love this pub and I would never have done anything to hurt it," she said.

Councillor Wilkinson (pictured below), also speaking in support, said: "I love music and I love old buildings. This to me is a suitable and reversible temporary stage."

Mark Jackson, planning officer, then said granting consent for the stage would be "a precedent which we do not wish to support".

Mr Jackson mentioned possible harm to the pub's distinctive bow window and the loss of "historic seating" which had been removed to make way for the stage.

He said the stage was made of "laminate flooring and timber balustrades" which gave it a "poor visual quality".

But the members of Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee, a group of elected councillors, were generally supportive of keeping the stage.

Councillor John Hanson, of Labour (pictured below), said: "I can't see a problem. I've been in the pub. It's always busy. I think the stage looks OK. I've seen a lot worse. We should let them keep it."

Councillor Joyce Pritchard, of the Liberal Democrats, said: "The cultural significance of this is phenomenal and the John O'Gaunt has put the stage in place because they feel it's needed.

"Damage to windows in the city centre seems to come more from outside rather than inside."

Councillor Roger Dennison, of the Morecambe Bay Independents, though, said he felt that a condition should be included to protect the John O'Gaunt's bow window.

But Councillor Sandra Thornberry of Labour, chair of the committee, said she didn't feel this was necessary.

"Moving the stage around would actually be quite a big risk to the bow window in itself," she said.

"We've heard so much today about the public benefits (of the stage). It is tremendous. It also contributes to keeping a listed building active and used."

The majority of the committee agreed with Councillor Thornberry, with councillors Martin Gawith, Keith Budden, Jack Lenox, Sue Tyldesley, Claire Cozler, Dave Brookes, John Hanson, Paul Tynan, Alan Greenwell, Joyce Pritchard, Colin Hartley, Sally Maddocks and Louise Belcher also voting to refuse the officers' recommendation, and allow the John O'Gaunt to keep the stage. Councillor Dennison abstained.

Here are supporters of the John O'Gaunt celebrating after the decision.

More photos from today's meeting by Nicholas James Unsworth @n.j.unsworth

Read more:

Delight after music stage at Lancaster pub saved following public campaign - Beyond Radio

INTERVIEW: Music fans rally around Lancaster pub landlady after council orders her to remove stage - Beyond Radio