In the past month, Parliament have passed a principle which has safeguarded the rights of music venues across the country to stay open if they have been established before new developments, that are a potential threat to their existence. However the Thekla may have come just short of being protected under this new law. The 'Agent of Change Principle' has been in debate at the same time as the #SaveThekla campaign, with Labour's Bristol East MP Kerry McCarthy, Bristol West MP Thagnam Debbonaire and MP John Spellar for playing major roles in raising awareness for the health of Britain's music culture. I want to thank all MP's, Major Marvin J Rees and Housing Secretary Sajid Javid who confirmed the principle into the National Planning Policy Framework, for their brilliant response to campaigns across the country for preserving our venues. In detail, the principle assures that a residential development near a longstanding music venue (such as Thekla) would have to pay for soundproofing and additional costs that will prevent its residents from making noise complaints. However, the principle was passed on January 18th 2018, which as many of you will know was some time after the threat from Redcliffe Wharf developers (CDP) became acknowledged by Thekla. The principle is certainly healthy news for our music culture, but will only protect music venues from now onwards. Any developers who decide to plant their new luxury flats next to a venue NOW will have to abide by the 'Agent Of Change' rules, but unfortunately CDP have no obligation since they had preposed their plans months before the principle was passed. Evidently, there is still more to be done to #SaveThekla. The involvement from government so far is absolutely a progressive sign of taking action. The press attention to the 'Agent of Change Principle' will also help to raise awareness of venue's power against developers, it may not be a total uphill battle. Sir Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, the Kinks’ Ray Davies and Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders have all come out in support of the principle. Six popular music venues in Bristol; Thekla, The Fleece, The Louisiana, Fiddlers, The Exchange and the O2 Academy all have existing or upcoming development plans around them. It is with great sadness that the Bierkeller has been launched into immediate shutdown for the same reason. The urgency to protect these institutions for live music should only be heightened after the news of the principle. In addition, venues not only in the centre are in danger with developers moving to the outer fringes of the city; the threat to Fiddlers in Bedminster is a clear example of the spread in gentrification. Bristol is the highest city for office/apartment conversions outside of London. With 80 people a week moving from the capital to Bristol* is this surprising? Redcliffe Wharf shows no sign of allowing the Thekla to stay open, it will only take one complaint to throw the venues' future off the rails. A sound assessment carried out late last year by CDP was regarded as inadequate by Thekla manager Alex Wood, since it was carried out on a quieter week night. CDP still haven't carried out a thorough check on what impact the sound will have on their residents, leaving Thekla's own prosperity in the air. This is another urge to share the petition and stimulate more awareness to #SaveThekla as well as other Bristol venues who share the same fight with illogical property developers. CDP must urgently carry out a proper soundcheck with Thekla to prevent later complications once the nearby residents have settled. The 'Agent of Change Principle' is a vital piece of legislation to give our venues a voice. Yet, in order for the principle to empower Britain's music culture, we must spread the word. Please continue to get in touch with Bristol MP's and councils if like me you feel passionate about saving the city's most loved venue. We must keep the authorities on our side if we want to continue to make a strong impact with the #SaveThekla campaign. * Source https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/eighty-people-week-moving-london-995488