Liverpool club meraki will remain open as council rejects development plans

Liverpool City Council has rejected plans to convert a Grade-II listed warehouse on the same street as the meraki nightclub into apartments. 

The proposed development was met with significant opposition from club-goers after plans were unveiled. The Save meraki campaign launched last summer as fears mounted that the club and cultural space, which opened in 2016, would be forced to close due to "inevitable" noise complaints from those moving in across the road. 

Over 600 people sent feedback to the developer expressing objection to the proposals. Challenges included the fact that Ten Streets, the district meraki is situated in, has been designated a 'creative zone' to protect artistic and cultural enterprises. Meanwhile, noise assessments to ascertain if the location was suitable for housing did not take place during club operating hours, with the Agent of Change principle quoted in the final decision. 

Sharing the news that the club's future is confirmed for the time being, meraki's team 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. We’re safe [for now]!"

"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." 

The property firm now has six-months to appeal the decision, but despite long-term concerns meraki has begun celebrating the victory. Merchandise with the slogan 'This Is A Nightclub' is now available to buy online. The statement was painted on the venue's roof since development was announced so would-be tenants and buyers could see they were moving into new homes next to a nightlife hotspot. 

Despite this win, development continues to plague the club scene as property and land value climb, with soaring cost-of-living and sky-high overheads compounding the situation. London's Printworks is set to close in the coming months "for a number of years" to make way for a £4billion regeneration project in the area. In October, Bristol venue The Basement to allow for a change of building use.