Bar plans for exhibition featuring Banksy canned after objections

Plans to sell booze at an M Shed exhibition featuring works by Banksy and other street-art pioneers have been scrapped after residents and nearby businesses objected.

Organisers applied for a premises licence for the summer event at Vanguard Art Bar, which will celebrate the city’s role in British graffiti culture.

But following objections from neighbours, drinking establishments in Cargo and The Matthew of Bristol Trust, it was abandoned.

Vanguard solicitor Piers Warne told councillors the application for a bar at the exhibition, which will display works not previously seen and some not shown in public for more than 20 years, including by artists Henry Chalfant, Beezer and 3D, was being withdrawn “gracefully” because of the concerns.

He told licence sub-committee members: “It was not only a bar but a space for community projects, such as children’s and adults’ workshops, but the bar was intricately linked with paying for this.

“We worked with the police and regulatory authorities very closely and drafted a very robust application and operating schedule.

“This was never about money and this was never going to be a vertical drinking festival bar.”

Drinking establishments in Cargo and The Matthew of Bristol Trust have been abandoned. Photo: Martin Booth

Warne said Vanguard production director Dave Smeaton operated hospitality businesses in Bristol “so he appreciates the concerns raised”.

“The application was supposed to complement the exhibition but on the back of these objections the applicant is withdrawing gracefully the application today,” the solicitor said.

“The reality is he never wanted to be considered hurting any other businesses in the area or causing any issues. This is supposed to be something that celebrates a major part of Bristol’s cultural heritage.

“We wish the Cargo businesses all the very best for hopefully a bumper summer and autumn and that the residents enjoy living in such a vibrant and important cultural area in the heart of Bristol. It is sad in some ways but those are the reasons why we are withdrawing.”

He said they wanted to explain why because there were some “misconceptions in the representations” against the application to sell alcohol from midday to 10pm Monday to Saturday and until 8pm on Sundays.

Smeaton told the virtual meeting on Thursday, April 29: “I hope everyone enjoys the exhibition.
“It does demonstrate the history of an important part of the culture of Bristol.

“We never intended to cause any offence to any business or residents in the area, so hopefully you will appreciate what we’re trying to do.”

The exhibition will take place at M Shed. Photo: University of Bristol

The Matthew of Bristol treasurer and vice-chairman Richard Sandwell told members: “We never had any problem with the purpose of the event itself and fully support it. It was just the alcohol questions, so the explanation given is much appreciated.”

The event, called Bristol Street Art: The Evolution of a Global Movement, will celebrate the instrumental role the city’s creatives played in the development of British street art, with rare works by leading Bristolian, UK and Irish artists from the late 1990s.

The organisers say two or three Banksy pieces will be among about 700 works of art on display.

Adam Postans is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.

Main photo: Martin Booth

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