If Only… – OCCUPY

MelloMello and The Ropewalks

By jjSchaer 20/5/2013

For two weeks the artist collective If Only… took over the space in Gallery 3 of the Bluecoat to host a series of events under the banner of OCCUPY – showcasing art and music as well as holding a series of discussions on a number of topics. All in conjunction with the Bluecoats recent ‘Archiving The Arts’ retrospective.

Partway through the second week a meeting was held to discuss developments in The Ropewalk’s area of town, the area between Slater Street and Seel Street, which is currently under bidding by private developers. This has meant that the businesses and venues in that block may be forced to close down. This includes MelloMello, Drop The Dumbbells and The Kasimer, all key venues for Liverpool’s burgeoning grassroots culture.

Laura from MelloMello was there to discuss the recent problems that may force them to close and the actions that they are taking to hopefully prevent this. The problems are twofold. Firstly, they have been having issues with their business rates being increased. Mello started from humble beginnings, the building being near derelict and they relied on a team of volunteers to help keep the place running, they were initially given discretionary business rates for two floors of the building – which has come to house the music magazine Bido Lito. This gave them space to build it into the thriving business and social hub it has become. However, over the last few years the business rates have risen to twenty percent and then to the full one hundred percent for the last year. This has put a strain on MelloMello and despite appealing for lower rates they are yet to hear of any new decision.

Secondly, issues have arisen from the former landlord who went bankrupt and the ownership of their properties have rescinded to the bank who are selling them off – which includes a significant portion of The Ropewalk’s and Wolstenholme Square. This means that ownership of the land is open to sale to private developers. It is still unclear what may happen to the area, but it’s levelling and rebuilding may be a distinct possibility. MelloMello offered to buy their property outright and despite their mortgage being accepted the offer was rejected in the final stages with no formal explanation being given.

MelloMello are continuing their campaign to try and preserve the venue.
Further details can be found on their website - mellomello.co.uk

A similar situation has happened with The Caledonia which is due to close. The area around Hope Street is within has been bought up by a private developer and is due to be demolished and rebuilt. This has led many to question whether the city is increasingly relying on private developers whilst its culture suffers significantly.

About halfway through a representative of the city’s police force, with the ironic surname of Lawson, wandered in and began rambling on about violent crime in the city (which has now for some reason been extended to swearing), vertical drinking and limitation on licensing in Liverpool city centre – all unrelated to the matter at hand… But it’s nice to know they’re about every now and again I suppose.

A recording of the discussion can be found @ www.ustream.tv/recorded/32200497

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Sorry Comments Closed

Comment left by Leslie Jennings on 20th May, 2013 at 16:29
Who owns this business? Is it run as a workers cooperative?