Sir Paul McCartney and a host of rock and pop legends are backing a move in Parliament to protect music venues from closure.

Senior Labour MP John Spellar, a Government minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, is introducing a bill in the Commons to change planning laws.

The proposed new law is backed by stars including Sir Paul, Chrissie Hynde, Craig David, Sandie Shaw, Ray Davies, Billy Bragg, Feargal Sharkey and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.

UK Music, a campaign group representing both the recorded and live music industries, said that over the past decade 35% of music venues across the country have closed.

Among venues that have had to fight closure threats are London's iconic dance club Ministry of Sound and the 100 Club, where The Who, Sex Pistols and Oasis have performed.


Pledging his support for Mr Spellar's bill, Sir Paul said: "Without the grassroots clubs, pubs and music venues my career could have been very different.

"If we don't support music at this level, then the future of music in general is in danger."

Image: Chrissie Hynde says the UK risks losing its 'unique creative output'

Hynde, a founding member of rock group The Pretenders, said: "When I heard of the impending threat to small venues, my heart skipped a beat.

"It isn't talent shows on television or theatre schools that propagate great music, it's small venues.

"They're the setting of everything great that's come out of the music scene in this country, from the Beatles to Oasis and beyond. England has long led the world of popular music; the rest of the world follow England.

"If small venues shut down, so will England's unique creative output. It will be like locking up playgrounds at schools. The whole world will suffer, not just England."

David, who scored number one hits with Fill Me In and Seven Days, said: "As an artist I'm concerned that music venues are facing unprecedented threats and it is a matter of great concern to us all.

"I give my strong support for proposals to change planning law so that we can keep music live."

Image: Craig David says venues faced 'unprecedented threats'

Mr Spellar's Planning (Agent of Change) Bill proposes that developers must take account of the impact of any new building scheme on pre-existing businesses like music venues before going ahead with their plans.

That could mean a developer of new flats takes responsibility for soundproofing to avoid the risk of new neighbours complaining about noise from a music venue.

Mr Spellar said: "Fewer venues means less work, less opportunity to develop talent or even find out that you are not going to make it in the industry, but also to move up from amateur to part-time, to full-time, to national or even international stardom.

"If the present situation does not change, we are in danger of taking away the ladder that has served individual musicians and the music industry so well for so long."

Mr Spellar's bill has the backing of at least 75 MPs and peers, including the former Tory culture minister Ed Vaizey, and organisations including the Music Venue Trust and the Musicians' Union.

Image: MP John Spellar will introduce a Bill in Parliament aimed at protecting music venues

According to UK Music, venues under threat today include three Bristol venues: the Thekla, the Fiddlers and the Fleece.

Campaigners are also battling to protect the Womanby Street music quarter in Cardiff from developers.

Venues which have closed in recent years include;

:: The Free Trade Hall in Manchester, where the Sex Pistols played a major gig in 1976. The venue, which also hosted Bob Dylan, was demolished and has been replaced by a hotel.

:: The Boardwalk in Sheffield, which saw the debut of The Clash and the Arctic Monkeys' breakthrough, before shutting in 2010.

:: The Square in Harlow, which hosted Coldplay, Blur, Supergrass and Muse when they were starting out, but closed last year as a result of a planning dispute.

UK Music's chief executive Michael Dugher, himself a former Labour MP, said if closures continue they will severely impact the music industry's ability to grow the huge contribution it makes to the UK economy.

He added: "The UK music industry contributes more than £4bn to our economy and brings pleasure to millions of people at home and overseas.

"It's time for the Government to get behind the legislation and help save the venues that are such a crucial part of the music industry."