Closed York venue the Victoria Vaults could reopen and thrive again as a live music pub.
That’s what its supporters say, after plans went in to turn the Nunnery Lane building into three homes.
While the owner of the building say its unviable as a pub, York Camra and local musicians say there is a lot of interest in bringing it back as a going concern.
One of 13 objections to the planning application comes from Nick Love, pub protection officer for the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra).
He writes: “We have been in conversation with a music venue operator who states that the venue could be run at a profit – but not in the way it was previously operated.
“Not all small music venues fail – only badly run ones fail. Good ones with competent owners still succeed and there are many examples around the UK.
“There has been much interest by local would-be investors and stakeholders who see a community run Victoria Vaults as an achievable ambition – as both an arts centre and evening gig venue.”
And artist Bob Jackson wrote: “It is clear that the venue has been run badly in the past, but a collective of like-minded people are now actively pursuing a new lease, as a co-op, with some contributors having over 50 years of invaluable experience in the York music scene.”
Labour Micklegate ward councillor Cllr Burton told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) local councillors understood that several parties were looking at bids to save the venue.
The Labour Micklegate councillor said: “Now more than ever we need places where people can come together and forge communities.
“Live music and creative spaces are a wonderful way of finding shared ground and understanding.
“We’d love to see Victoria Vaults retained for local residents and think it could be the perfect location for an arts centre and live music venue.”
- Additional reporting: Joe Gerrard, local democracy reporting service
