The follow recounts a phone conversation with Gary Robinson of the Canteen in Barrow and now the Roxy Music/Arts venue.
This call was made to Gary "out of the blue" yesterday (Saturday 9th afternoon)
His initial reaction was resentment that someone was apparently phoning to tell him his job and what he should do in what was "family time".
My urgency was to catch him before the Saturday night gig so that he could start that night, aware of the views of several people that I have been in touch with in the last few days. (Having stated that it was family time, it was difficult to get Gary off the phone once he had started - he is good at arguing his point of view as those that heard him at the public meeting will know.)
On Feb 5th I posted an article very much in favour of this project. Now I have severe doubts.
On some points during our conversation, I found him unconvincing.
He argues - and he is welcome to correct me here - the following:
He is following the rules and doing all he can and if there is bad behaviour then this is because of the type of people he is dealing with.
He believes it is early days and it will take a while for the irresponsible behaviour to be weeded out by excluding these people from entering the venue.
He is paying high wages to ensure that expert staff are employed to deal with any behaviour problems. He also feels he has a good working relationship with the police.
For my part I ,and many others, look at the situation very differently.
What impressed me about the description of what was to happen with Gary at the Roxy was that something of benefit was going to happen in the town and that there was a need for responsible people to have a venue open till 3.00 am where they could enjoy live music along with an occasional drink. Furthermore the Roxy could become a venue were the artistic interests in the town could be focused and developed.
What has happened so far does not encourage this optimism.
It is essential to me and many others that access to alcohol until late does not lead to drunken behaviour by people that have lost their inhibitions and control of what they do.
At present what is happening sends out messages to me and others that people with too much alcohol inside them are being turned out on our streets in the early hours. People who show little concern for others.
Gary cannot in my opinion duck this issue. It can be argued that the behaviour is linked to drink. This is happening inside the Roxy and is thus the responsibility of those behind the bar. The Roxy must quickly establish itself as a place that will attract the responsible people who go to enjoy good , live music and not the irresponsible who go to drink.
Gary Robinson has total responsibility for the way in which his venue is run and it must quickly become a place for the former.
If the latter take hold; I and many others will join together to force the venue to be closed.
I suggest that a change of direction needs to be implemented quickly. The whole appearance of the venue both outside and in, needs urgent attention in my view. The quality is nowhere up to the standard of the former Buffers at the station and that had its problems.
Your views as always are welcome. I trust that the Councillor for this area - Jamie Samson - with his interests in the licensing committee of South Lakeland is monitoring the situation closely.
12 comments:
Good effort Geoff. Not many of the main licensing objectives followed at the roxy i am afraid, the protection of children from harm seems to be the biggest one they have missed out.
Thanks,
This blog is beginning to work well thanks to all your informed comments.
Here we've got the chance of expressing the views of the community for all to see and comment on!
Hurray for the Internet!
The Sun Inn has had an untouchable track record of being the most disgraceful pub in the region, and a blot on the landscape of Ulverston for years....no word from you on that issue dear boy. The Roxy, on the other hand, has the potential to be one of the best things to have happened in Ulverston for years, and yet, has hardly been open for 5 minutes and you and your myopic, busy body cohorts want to close it down!! Gary has an excellent track record in Barrow, and he will bring the same success to Ulverston...so be patient, withold your fascist instincts for a while and see how it goes!!
It is early days for the venue, and it will take time for Gary to get it running as he would like. I think he should be applauded for his approach and we should show a little patience rather than threatening to have the place closed down on the evidence of a couple of bottles on the pavement!
As the last poster says, The Sun has had donkeys years to sort out the problems with loutish behaviour - inside and outside of the premises - with almost no success. Funny how no-one ever says anything about them.
It doesn't help Gary that the Ulverston licensing clique, headed by The Sun's Dave Mackenzie, seem to be doing everything they can to make things hard for the Roxy.
I don't think such a confrontational approach at this stage is necessary. We need to continue to support the Roxy and give them the chance to work out the teething problems. It's not perfect, but it's one of the few positives for the Ulverston enterntainment scene we've seen for a long time.
I agree about the Sun. The reason I'm focusing on the Roxy is that this project really does have a lot of potential.
Having tried to get a similar venture like this up and running I can see the problems.
It is a very difficult path that Gary is seeking to tread.
The financial success of the operation is paramount. The new restrictions on smoking in buildings must be a major problem with people having to come out on the street and the possible noise that can ensue.
Exactly because this project is new, then now is the time to express comments both supportive and otherwise.
So let's have some positive reports from some of you!
The situation at the Sun will take a lot more changing - I'm not looking to take on the world problems just yet.
Just one at a time!
Once you get one right the rest become easier.
Could someone spell out for me the comment made before:
"The problem with the Roxy at the moment is that they are not on Barwatch "
Is this a scheme by which known trouble makers are listed so that pubs can access details?
How does one help someone get on this scheme?
As far as i am aware from running a couple of pubs anyone can be a member of the Barwatch scheme if they pay the £20 fee to the LVA.
As far as people saying that the LVA will not let a pub/club be a member of barwatch does seem a bit daft and i doubt there is any truth in it.
There are a few pubs in town that are not in the barwatch scheme and they seem to police their own pubs without any problems.
Barwatch is a scheme run by the LVA in conjunction with the police, I believe, and, as you quite rightly surmise is a list of people barred from all licensed premises in the town, and is circulated to LVA members. I understand that this scheme works extremely well, and very little "trouble" occurs in the pubs, with the notable exception of The Sun and it's immediate surrounds.If Mr Robinson is, for whatever reason, not yet a member of this scheme then it is highly likely that the local miscreants will take immediate advantage of this fact and do their damndest to ruin the place before it really gets going. Mr Robinson is a high profile responsible entrepreneur, and feel sure he will rectify the situation and make the Roxy an asset for the town that it richly deserves to be.
I understand that the situation at the Roxy is:
Two operations are really in place. One is live music up to say midnight for £6 to £10 admission. Then afterwards there is piped music and drink until 3am, admission £3.
The first is being spoilt by the drab decor which will put many people off, the second is probably where the money is to be made on the drink sales and has the potential for trouble for the town, requiring police involvement.
It will be extremely difficult to climb up to the image for the venue that was projected at the beginning as being like the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal.
Time will tell and we will have to see. Maybe Gary has some magic to perform.
If he doesn't there will be a lot of disappointed and maybe angry people that have been sold a pup. . .
Good job Geoff,
I would like to add that the Roxy is a very poor location for Gary to site, (and lets not fool around here) a nightclub!:
below a cinema - so he cant have the bands till the end of the show and
35m from a residential care home!!!
and
many residential dwellings within 50 radius.
I have been to a couple of gigs and have really enjoyed them, and best of luck to gary for this aspect of his business.
However some crystal clear Advice: stop the nightclub operation it is not appropriate for this location and is having a serious impact on the amenities of local residents.
hi, new to the site, thanks.
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