skip to main content

MU responds to Planning Application Adjacent to Iconic Cardiff Venue

The MU has written to Cardiff Council expressing its concern over a planning application that puts iconic live music venue Clwb Ifor Bach at risk.

Published: 31 March 2017 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 April 2021 | 4:28 PM

The MU has written to Cardiff Council expressing its concern over a planning application that puts iconic live music venue Clwb Ifor Bach at risk.

In the letter, Paul Gray (MU Regional Organiser for Wales & SW England) discusses the value of arts and culture spaces to both local talent and the UK economy as a whole, as well as the threat to the unique character of Womanby Street.

Please add your voice and help protect this important live music hub under threat in the heart of Cardiff city centre.

Read more, including Kevin Brennan MP and Jo Stevens MP, back the campaign via BBC Wales.  

Paul’s letter to Cardiff Council:

I write on behalf of the Musicians' Union as the Wales and SW Regional Organiser, representing over 30,000 musicians working in all professions across the industry including the live music sector.

Live music venues such as Clwb Ifor Bach provide communities with the opportunity to engage with cultural activities and in turn offer a vital social hub and real benefit to the local economy - a recent survey by UK Music identified a total direct and indirect spend of a £52 million generated in Cardiff from music tourism in 2015, with a total of 741 full time jobs generated from same.

Cardiff's well-established and iconic music venues such as Clwb have long supported and nurtured some of Wales' most successful talent, with many artists going on to achieve international success. Without these crucial grassroots venues, the whole pack of card falls down - not just opportunities for new artists to cut their teeth and build a following, but touring opportunities for more established artists, work for tech crews, promoters, bar staff, managers, agents... the list goes on.

It is therefore of great concern to the MU that Clwb - and potentially other venues in the vicinity, a long-established musical and cultural hub in the very heart of the City - will have their very existence threatened due to the impact of this proposed residential development. 

By its very nature residential development will inevitably change the unique character of Womanby Street by introducing new uses that come into conflict with the pre-existing and well established cultural uses, and will further pose a significant risk factor to the value, development and benefits the arts and culture of Wales.

Cardiff Council should seek to protect such a valuable cultural asset so that it continues to afford the opportunities and benefits to musicians, music lovers, the local economy and the arts in general as it has done for the past 25 years.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

John Shortell wearing a Musicians' Union t-shirt with rainbow logo, holding a flag, during a Pride march in 2023. He is joined by colleagues and other members who are performing as they walk.

MU Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Named in IQ Magazine’s 2025 Queer Pioneers List

The MU congratulates John Shortell, Head of ED&I, on being named one of IQ Magazine’s outstanding queer professionals in the international live music business. John is a driving force for change, and the Union is exceptionally proud to have him working on behalf of musicians.

Published: 03 July 2025

Read more about MU Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Named in IQ Magazine’s 2025 Queer Pioneers List
An empty conference stage, lit up multi coloured blocks.

Join the MU at the We Make Music Scotland Conference 2025

The MU will be attending and sponsoring a workshop at this year’s We Make Music Scotland Conference, taking place on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 September at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.

Published: 02 July 2025

Read more about Join the MU at the We Make Music Scotland Conference 2025
Wooden blocks with speech bubble graphics on them against a blue background, a single block with a red stop sign is in front of them, blocking the line, representing free speech restrictions.

MU Reiterates Anti-Censorship Stance

The MU reiterates its anti-censorship position and support for the organisation ‘Freemuse’, following the issues around the broadcasting of Glastonbury sets this weekend.

Published: 01 July 2025

Read more about MU Reiterates Anti-Censorship Stance