Queen Charlotte facing closure

By David Keller BBC Norfolk

The future of the Queen Charlotte as a music venue or pub is very doubtful

The Queen Charlotte, a live-music venue in Norwich, is facing closure as Norwich City Council's expectation for soundproofing proves too expensive.

The future of the Dereham Road pub, which has seen a number of noise complaints from gigs, is now in serious doubt with its income hit hard.

"The issue is the cost in fully soundproofing the venue," said Kevin.

"It's unfortunately just one of those things," said a spokesperson from Norwich City Council.

Landlord Kevin Grantham met with the council on Friday, 17 April, 2009, to discuss the soundproofing options, which are proving extremely costly.

"Norwich City Council were helpful in trying to assist us in continuing what we're doing," said Kevin.

"But with soundproofing, we are not sure whether it's money well spent or whether we can afford to do it.

"The council recognise there is an issue regarding live music in Norwich and it's not something they want to see, but unfortunately the cost is going to be prohibiting what we do."

The Queen Charlotte is continuing as a pub in the meantime and is encouraging locals to attend, but long-term sustainability is looking doubtful.

"At the moment we remain open as a pub, a very quiet pub I might add, but we will stay open for as long as we can," said Kevin.

"This pub has never been a 'locals' pub, even before we took it over, so we don't have a hardcore base of regulars.

"The rent and the overheads are expensive and we're not expecting to take much money in the near future or even the medium term future.

"I can't really see how we can sustain being here."

Council verdict

A spokesperson from Norwich City Council stated there is nothing else the two parties can do to rectify the problem.

"We had a very honest and positive meeting with Mr Grantham. We looked at different ways in which to control noise, but both sides have now done all they can," they said.

In the past, the live music venue has seen up-and-coming local talent and touring bands such as Gallows, King Creosote and Norwich's Rebel Lion Sound System perform.