Following today’s announcement that London’s Astoria Theatre is to be closed, Feargal Sharkey, CEO of British Music Rights, welcomes Mayor of London Ken Livingstone’s plans to replace the historic venue with a larger alternative and his commitment to a “live music strategy”.

The building on London’s Charing Cross Road is to be demolished due to construction of the new Crossrail transport system.

Said Sharkey: “I’ve had many a great night at the Astoria, and to lose one of the capital’s most iconic venues is a blow – especially after recent closures of Hammersmith Palais and The Spitz.

“It is essential that UK musicians, of which BMR represents over 50,000 songwriters and composers, have access to a vibrant and diverse live music scene in order to showcase their talents. More than that, a healthy live music scene plays a pivotal role in the UK’s economy and UK society in general.

“We are therefore heartened by Mayor Livingstone’s commitment that a larger, alternative venue will be built in Tottenham Court Road, and await with interest his proposals for a live music strategy.”

This morning [March 12th] a report commissioned by the London Development Agency found that the UK capital was the most culturally vibrant city in the world, with more music venues and music performances per year than New York and Paris combined.

Before joining British Music Rights in February 2008, Sharkey chaired the UK government’s Live Music Forum. One of the Forum’s key recommendations was for the mayor to ensure a diverse range of venues in London  

He continues to take forward an initiative from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Children, Schools and Families to establish a national network of professionally equipped community rehearsal spaces for young people.

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For further information, please contact Adam Webb on 020 7306 4447 or 07908 811223 or email adam.webb@bmr.org.
www.bmr.org

Notes to Editors:

• British Music Rights was established to promote greater awareness of the interests and concerns of British music composers, songwriters and publishers to UK and EU policymakers and the wider public. The primary focus is to communicate an understanding of the rights and rewards for creativity in the music business; the value of those rights to UK plc; the impact of new technologies upon music creators and publishers and the resulting policy and legislative implications.
• Our member organisations are the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, the Music Publishers Association, the Performing Right Society and the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society.