Live music plans in Greenwich blocked by council
A proposal for live music in Greenwich beside the Cutty Sark and a market has been blocked by Greenwich council.
Local landowner Greenwich Hospital sought a licence to play live and recorded music between noon and 4pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays all year round.
I know, radical right? Not the evening but MIDDAY UNTIL 4PM.
However a licensing sub-committee meeting blocked plans after a hearing last week which was opposed by four local councillors and local residents.
They had complained of loud music for extensive periods apart from this application.
The actual proposal heard was quite modest and again reveals weaknesses in Greenwich’s “enforcement” as we’ve seen in numerous areas many times before.
Rather than enforce those playing music late in the evening they’ve blocked music in the daytime for limited hours.
Because of course they have.
Backwards thinking
It brings to mind the time (and this is far from alone) when a councillor sought to block a pub opening in Blackheath as people may park nearby on yellow lines. He didn’t seem to grasp that maybe the council department should enforce parking restrictions and blocking a new business bringing jobs and a place to enjoy for many was going about it the wrong way.
I remember watching that licensing application and thinking what world they lived in.
Anyway, now a daytime event can have no live music during the times of, lets not forget, midday to 4pm – as the authority are too piss weak at enforcing at other times.
Ah, but cuts you say? Well, we all know this has gone on way before cuts. I’ve been around long enough to see this nonsense for a couple of decades. They don’t enforce existing rules and then block anyone trying to make something enjoyable and appealing.
The Meridian estate saw residents complain. I don’t blame them if at the end of their tether due to inept management of the area but a modest proposal is a whole different ballgame.
I should probably also say that the Meridian estate is one of the very few estates Greenwich Council actually bother to look after as tourists will see it. It’s a world away from, say, Abbey Wood estate. Go and take a walk around Abbey Wood or Woolwich then Greenwich. Funny what they can do.
Ultimately this completely typifies Greenwich Council and their choices in blocking music from 12-4pm in a popular area. Easy to do that. A distraction when woeful at managing the space. Go for the easy targets.
Still, doing it this way makes an easy life for managers and council officers. As you were. Residents will still be kept up late no doubt in future but god forbid a decent daytime event be held.
Maybe the council’s privatised enforcement team could act to stop antisocial buskers and let daytime events happen or are they all too busy chatting in the square in Woolwich and pouncing on easy targets?
Massive groan. I sympathise with residents but as ever Greenwich go arse over tit and seek wrong solution. Deal with the main issue? No! Block live music in middle of day that could appeal to people and bring money to area? Yes. Fuuuuuuuccccccc
Oh this is marvellous! Royal Greenwich do make me laugh.
How much do they go on and regarding trying to have more entertainment and attracting visitors then do this. Wonderful stuff. Greenwich Hospital are charity trying to put things on in the early afternoon. It’s not an all night rave for goodness sake. I’m too old to care but it’s tragic really how backwards these councillors are. Moan moan moan and do nothing about real issues.
Right decision.
May I ask why?
It’s a sad state of affairs when Stoneybridge Council have more ambition than a metropolitan one