Music pub ‘saved’ – but it will still close
PLANS to demolish a renowned Birmingham music venue to build apartments have been rejected – but the pub will still close.
The decision follows a campaign to save the canal-side Flapper pub behind the ICC.
But it will still be closed in the new year because it requires more than £450,000 to refurbish it.
The council planning committee voted down Baskerkville Wharf ’s application to bulldoze it and build 27 apartments as councillors said it would remove a valued community asset while the housing scheme would negatively impact on the canal.
Cllr Lou Robson said that The Flapper has “obviously got huge value to the local residents and the music industry” and called for the building to be locally listed.
Cllr Gareth Moore said: “I do think the application has benefits and it is well designed, but those benefits do not outweigh the fact it is a treasured community asset as it is clearly a well-loved establishment.
“I appreciate the applicant has stated their intention to close it but it is not closed at the moment, it is currently trading, and who knows what might happen in the near feature which may allow it to continue to do so?”
The Flapper is around 50 years old and has helped kick-start scores of musicians’ careers but the building is in need of investment.
Council officer David Wells said: “The premises are old and many aspects of it are reaching the end of its practical life and if retained would require extensive refurbishment or replacement to continue functioning. We estimate that the total cost could be in the region of £450,000. A rent review is due from the freeholder, further increasing the burden of costs to be met by the applicant.
“These additional costs will render the continued operation of the business untenable since funding is not available to meet all these costs.”
He confirmed that Baskerville Wharf LLP still intended to close The Flapper on January 7.