Motion's future hangs in the balance

Today’s news that Motion could turn the lights up for the last time is devastating. Not just for me as someone who lives and breathes our city’s night time economy, but also for the sector as a whole. Motion have dedicated decades to the cultural fabric of Bristol -cementing their rightful place in the heart of the UKs Club Culture. The thought of losing this venue from the city is near impossible to contemplate and means that future generations of music fans will miss out on the majesty of a soundsystem moment, a chat with a new stranger-friend, and the excitement of being in that room.

The decision to sell the land on which Motion stands has landed despite long and what appeared to be ongoing conversations with the landlord, multiple financial offers to purchase the property and visionary plans to transform the venue into a cultural enterprise hub for generations to come. This, despite Motion showing themselves to be a viable business with along tradition of careful, and sympathetic managing one of the most iconic venues in the UK.

Motion is a destination venue; their core regular audience draws visitors from all across the Southwest and Wales on a weekly basis. Whenever I talk about Bristol nightlife to people all over the country, Motion is the venue they have been to.

Motion is an anchor in Bristol's nightlife community. From the early days as a skatepark through to securing its place as one of the globally great clubs. Motion is a Bristol success story. It's been created off the blood, sweat and passion of a homegrown team, both at the venue, but also the promoters who have grown with the venue, and fantastic talent who grow from a support slot in the Tunnel to headlining the mainstage. I have been a regular visitor of this venue since the very first parties, and continue to watch my favourite DJs there, meet up with old friends, and marvel at how both so much has changed, yet nothing at all.

The venue’s place in Bristol’s cultural landscape is demonstrated by its identification as a site of significant cultural importance as part of one of Europe’s largest regeneration area, Temple Quarter. The venue has worked tirelessly to remain a sympathetic, local business, as the area changes around them, including securing a Deed of Easements on the adjoining properties. Their role as a voice for the sector has also been vital to securing some protections for venues in the planning system. Their support of our pioneering work to protect other venues has been unwavering. But that work isn’t yet done, and much more is still needed in national planning regulations to tighten the protection for vital cultural assets such as Motion. Bristol has long supported this national campaign to protect our venues and we continue to do so.

During the lockdowns, Motion was significantly supported through the Cultural Recovery Fund. Not only have they returned following the pandemic with a renewed energy, but theirs is also an economically stable business, despite continuing significant economic challenges and a terrifying national lens for grassroots music venues.

As the Night Time Economy Advisor for the city, it’s no secret that I back nightlife. I want a long-term sustainable future for Bristol nightlife, and to continue our legacy as one of the world’s greatest music cities - a crown we deserve because of venues like Motion. Just last week Bristol Nights announced plans to create a Bristol Music Fund - conversations Motion were part of and are in support of building a sustainable music fund to help fuel our city’s creativity.

Dance spaces are more than commercial entities. They are the glue that holds together community. When humans dance together, our heart rates and brainwaves synchronise. Humans literally get into the groove with each other. Dance spaces are central to our social and cultural bonds.  The mounting academic research on the significant contribution of dancefloors to wellbeing is confirming what the cultural corner of nightlife has known for generations.

The cultural significance of our club spaces must be protected for future generations. Club culture is one of the great gems this country has excelled in developing, from the ground up, and continues to be a sector that sits at the heart of many people’s social and personal wellbeing. Time and again, across the UK, we continue to see venues close without a whisper and audiences left abandoned. This is not what I want for Bristol’s nightlife nor is it what our city’s audiences deserve.

I hope, with all my heart, that the venue’s landlord listens to the pleas of our city’s club audiences and engages with the team at Motion to find a solution that means we can look forward to countless more nights on that iconic dancefloor.

‍

by Carly Heath - Night Time Economy Advisor for Bristol