From: andybanjo_at_aol_dot_com
Sent: 24 January 2009 10:21
Subject: Re: Would you be in favour of a "Music Box" at gigs in pubs ?
Hi Beau,
well, it's a thought - but I can't see the majority of pubs surviving this present crisis whatever they do unless there are major changes ... the fundamental problem with running a pub is the level of rent payment expected by the owners. this is based on a seriously inflated idea of commercial property values and the supine attitude of many councils to demands to allow change of use to residential for "non-viable" pub premises. if an owner can make a huge profit on the premises by selling up for conversion, what incentive is there for rent demands to be moderated to reflect the true profitability of the business?

I suspect that the boom in property prices (and the closure & sell-off of pubs) is the factor that isn't on your graph .... and even a collapse in the values as residential units doesn't help much since these values will still be way above the true value as business premises ...

kind regards, andybanjo

-----Original Message-----
From: Dr. Beau Webber <J_dot_B_dot_W_dot_Webber_at_kent_dot_ac_dot_uk>
Subject: Would you be in favour of a "Music Box" at gigs in pubs ?

Further thoughts ......
 
Would you be in favour of a "Music Box" at gigs in pubs ?
 
My graph shows how live music is dying in Kent and East Sussex :
    http://www.kentfolk.com/News/KentFolk_News_2009-01/Keeping_Live_Music_Alive/01_-_2008-12-29_-_The_Licensing_Act_2003_is_destroying_live_music_in_Kent.html
 
I and others are floating the idea that there should be a donation box in support of the live music in the pub.
 
No obligation to put anything in, but if you are there for the music, ask yourself what you would be spending on entrance fee and drinks at a folk club.
Don't put less in if you don't like the music - put MORE in and a note saying what music you would like ! Use a sealed envelope if you prefer.
 
The licensing laws may change to exempt small venues, and that may rescue live music in the long-run, but it wont happen in time if my graph is to be believed - we have to do everything we can to help preserve the music and those publicans brave (crazy ?) enough to put on live music.
 
A donation box where the money goes to fund more live-music gigs in the pub may be the answer, see the discussion page on KentFolk News :
    http://www.kentfolk.com/News/index.html
Keeping Live Music Alive
 
Your opinions (say if private or for publication) to :
Dr. Beau Webber
    Beau_at_KentFolk_dot_com
 

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