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[Baz Barrett]

DOGHOUSE STUDIOS has recently been instructed to close by council planners and environmental health officials. This is due to our premises being classified as for 'B1' use, despite reputable estate agents and chartered surveyors offering these types of premises as being suitable for use. Even today, we called a number of estate agents and chartered surveyors, we're still being offered B1 classified premises and still advised the premises are suitable for rehearsal and recording studio use. This matter affects all small studios and much more. Any studio, dance class, gym etc which is categorised as for B1 use (Light industrial, warehouse, offices or for research and development) is deemed unsuitable for musicians to rehearse. Despite musicians generally being involved in the music 'industry' and are generally 'researching' and indeed 'developing' their writing/performance 'product'. Apparently, the studios are to be reclassified as D2, which is a place of social gathering, ie: pubs, casinos, bingo halls. This matter would also stand should a group of individuals wish to use commercial premises to simply form so much as a knitting circle yet could only afford to obtain a low cost office or warehouse space for their group.

If DOGHOUSE STUDIOS is to close, then surely all of the other studios dance classes, gymnasiums etc, nationwide, that are working from B1 classified office or warehouse spaces, will need to be closed and/or reclassified, at a financial cost beyond many individuals that run these small businesses and community spaces.

Surely this is not the right economic climate to be stamping on small enterprising business ideas. Perhaps offering assistance would be more beneficial? Maybe we're wrong...


DOGHOUSE STUDIOS (UK)

Recording & Rehearsal Studios
Tel: +44 (0) 8712 10 20 40
Email: office@doghousestudios.co.uk
Web: http://www.doghousestudios.co.uk