A Liverpool nightclub has secured its future for the time being after planning permission for a proposed residential redevelopment nearby was refused.
Meraki, located on Dickinson Street in the North Docks, launched a campaign last year against the proposals to redevelop the Bonded Tea Warehouse. These plans were put forward by ELG Planning on behalf of County Durham-based property firm Mandale Homes. There were fears the venue could come under threat from new residents on Great Howard Street making noise complaints.
In a statement, the team argued that acoustic surveys had been carried out while the venue was closed, meaning “an accurate, real-world reflection of the noise within the vicinity of the proposed development” had not been provided. However, yesterday Meraki announced on its Instagram page that the plans for flats had been blocked by Liverpool City Council.
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The club wrote: "Week before last the Bonded Tea Warehouse planning application was updated on the Council website. Attached with the update was a letter refusing planning permission for the proposed conversion of the building to flats."
There was a note of caution, with the club saying it was "safe [for now]!" as the developer has six months to appeal the decision. It stated: "So, whilst we hope we don’t have to, we may again call for your help in the not too distant future."
Tom Hearn, director of Meraki, told the ECHO last year: "Residential and commercial nightlife premises is a hard one to mix unless it's done right. None of us are opposed to development. It needs to happen. We just don't believe this development is suitable in its current form."
As part of the campaign against the proposals, 'THIS IS A NIGHTCLUB' was painted across the venue's roof so that any potential buyers looking from above would know of Meraki's existence.
Meraki also thanked everyone who had supported with them, adding: "We may never know how many of you raised a representation to the council, but to each and every one of you that did, thank you. It’s hard to put into words the scale of the impact this would have had on Meraki and we’re forever indebted to each and every one of you that helped even a tiny bit throughout this campaign so far.
"Also big shouts to Music Venue Trust and everyone else that helped us along the way behind the scenes, be it an email proof or a nudge in the right direction. Collective action works."
As a thank you, Meraki launched a range of t-shirts and hoddies to buy for £19.99 with 'THIS IS A NIGHTCLUB' emblazoned on the back. The club have invited fans to "party with a little less baggage this weekend".
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