Bristol Council Shut Down Black Swan!

[Magma]

WHAT THE FUCK!?

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Tro ... ticle.html

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[wooly_sammoth]

That is the worst news I've heard all day.

As one of the commenters says, it is stupid how a well known and well loved institution like the swan can be closed on the basis of heresay and conjecture.

I'm considering urinating in several gardens while staring in at the residents as a protest

[PaulX]

Fuck!

Anyone know any more background on this? I've never been to the Swan but I know how central it is to the Bristol scene and how popular it is with people on this board who have been frequenting it for years.

[Benwrongun]

yeah its pretty bad news, had another wrong night in the pipe line for it, allready booked a few artists, and two of my mates nights over the next two weeks which are now screwed.... theyre clamping down on posters in bristol to, planning to clean the main ares, apprently paying big issue selleres 10p per poster they take down and hand in to the council... interesting times ahead.

when you consider the super club http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/Cle ... ticle.html

[PaulX]

A really good discussion on this has been building up in the comments on the thisisbristol.co.uk story.

Can all you Black Swan regulars get in touch with me by pm? Thanks.

[PaulX]

I like this suggestion from the comments:

Closing down a highly popular pub, used by a great number of people is one great way to make these people develope a grudge against the police and the council, and isn't about to make those people who might bave been at the swan have more respect for the law. maybe this will kick some new radical life into the underground scene, could be it's time to reclaim the streets again. Basically, this policing is not only unjustified but also practically guarenteed to exarcebate the 'problem' it is addressing.
How about a new year street party in protest? ?
Beth, Bristol

Respect to Beth of Bristol. I hope people take her up on her suggestion.

If they're going to take away all our legal venues, people are just going to have to rave illegally, aren't they?

[Beatmonkey]

This is shit news, I only went a couple of times but it was fuckin fantastic every time I did. I always found the vibe inside to be amazingly friendly, sure outside looked rough as fuck but that's what taxis are for.

As for beth's suggestion, Mongrel have sorted an alternative venue incase the swan isn't back open for new years eve but a protest party at some other time is a great idea

[Benwrongun]

the swan lost its second appeal today....

[baldmosher]

My comment just added

I've been once for a friend's night. Lovely place, had no idea it was in such a reputably poor area (I live in Moss Side!) but was warned not to walk back from there and to get a taxi.

I'm concerned about the loss of the pub but it's indicative of modern life that pubs in dodgy areas are a good public meeting place for criminals to talk shop. Just a shame that they're also a good meeting place for law-abiding citizens too.

I'm not sure how having law-abiding citizens stood smoking outside the pub, with security on the doors, will make the area much safer at night. Certainly quieter though.

The pub has closed, not the nights that use it as a venue. It's a shame but others will step into its place. I've been to a handful of venues and there are plenty to go around in Bristol. Manchester only has crappy venues like WHP now, which is just about as low as the barrel should be scraped for clubbing, totally money driven and with the sole intention of squeezing every drop of cash from the attendees with no regard for their enjoyment of the night. This is why I don't go clubbing in Manchester very often nowadays. I prefer to go to Bristol, and this won't stop me.

They have a street party in St Paul's fairly regularly. It's mental. Everyone seems to be having a good time and there are sound systems and stalls set up all over the place in people's front gardens, on the streets, pubs, car parks, kebab shops, etc. Not sure NYE would be warm enough to do that though....

[Benwrongun]

think you will find thats st pauls carnival, wicked party.