I managed two sold-out, Covid compliant nights of my new jazz club before live music was effectively banned in this part of the UK

Possibly for the first time in recorded history, on September 25 2020, live music has been effectively banned in a region of the United Kingdom.
By Colin Harper
Published 29th Sep 2020, 11:45 GMT
Updated 29th Sep 2020, 13:48 GMT
The new jazz club in east Belfast was a carefully managed, spaced, seated environment was supporting the local economy, the local arts scene and enhanced the wellbeing of all concernedThe new jazz club in east Belfast was a carefully managed, spaced, seated environment was supporting the local economy, the local arts scene and enhanced the wellbeing of all concerned
The new jazz club in east Belfast was a carefully managed, spaced, seated environment was supporting the local economy, the local arts scene and enhanced the wellbeing of all concerned

The NI assembly’s The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 states: ‘a person concerned in the organisation or operation of an indoor venue at which intoxicating liquor may be consumed shall not permit at that venue (a) dancing; or (b) the provision of music, whether live or recorded, for dancing; or (c) live music.’

Almost all indoor live music takes place within a licensed environment — theatres, pubs, clubs. With three colleagues (all music/events professionals), I had started a jazz club in east Belfast this month. We managed two sold-out, rules-compliant nights before the ban.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The jazz club used the premises of a licensed Working Men’s Club, which benefited from (table-service only) bar sales; tickets included food provided by a neighbouring Bangladeshi restaurant, which benefitted that business; and the revenues provided pay for a sound/lighting crew and both pay and a now rare public platform for professional musicians.

In short, a carefully managed, spaced, seated environment was supporting the local economy, the local arts scene and ­— from customer feedback — enhancing the wellbeing of all concerned.

There is Covid-related wisdom in banning dancing but there is no difference between, say, 50 people seated in a socially distanced restaurant or ‘wet bar’ (currently allowed in NI) and 50 people similarly seated listening to a piano trio.

The music industry is being crushed as it is (‘Under-threat Northern Ireland music industry is not going down without a fight,’ Sep 28).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This legislation crushes the butterfly of small hope on a wheel.

It must urgently be amended.

Colin Harper, Belfast BT4

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

Related topics:Northern IrelandBelfast