Future of Sydney live venue targeted by NIMBYs in doubt as owner walks away

The future of a celebrated Sydney live music venue, incessantly targeted by NIMBYs, now looks in doubt further damaging the city’s nightlife.

A live music venue in Sydney, that has been targeted by NIMBY neighbours, is facing closure in another blow to the city’s entertainment scene.

The owner of Marrickville’s The Great Club, in Sydney’s inner west, has announced she will leave – putting the future of the venue in doubt.

Alison Avron has run the club since 2020 but it has been a music venue since 1952.

Noise complaints from not in my backyard “NIMBY” locals have taken their toll on The Great Club with Ms Avron stating she had paid out $30,000 in legal fees to fight the incessant action a small number of neighbours.

But it was a stoush with the landlord that finally pushed her to shut up shop, she wrote on social media.

Ms Avron said it had been a “wild 72hrs” and that she was “stepping down as boss lady at The Great Club.”

“For some time now, I have been in negotiations with the landlord about ongoing issues at the venue but unfortunately we couldn’t reach a solution that benefited both parties,” she said.

There is now confusion over whether future performances will take place at the Great Club.

Its website is still advertising a series of events including The Great Comedy Club on 27 June as well as a number of album release shows.

Alison Avron, who ran Marrickville's The Great Club, is walking away. Picture: Richard Dobson

However, on social media, Ms Avron said those who had bookings would be “contacted”.

“We look forward to giving you another update and the situation unfolds”.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that upcoming events at The Great Club have been moved to other venues.

Ms Avron used to run The Newsagency, another highly regard venue in Camperdown also in the city’s inner west.

The Great Club had been pushed to the brink of closure by unhappy neighbours over the space of two years.

“They’re complaining a lot,” Ms Avron told breakfast program Today in 2022.

“There’s three of them. They don’t like the noise in the car park.”

Ms Avron faced threats of criminal proceedings and a licence suspension, was told to install soundproofing costing upwards of $250,000, and prevented from staging some live music events.

Three neighbours made incessant complaints about the club which has operated as a venue since the 1950s. Picture: Daily Telegraph/ Monique Harmer

Inner West Council, which covers The Great Bar, eventually dropped the action against the venue.

Local councils and politicians have been targeted by residents who dislike pubs and clubs and know their way around planning controls.

But councils have been accused of failing to differentiate between legitimate noise complaints and whinging neighbours who want to live in near silence despite being in a major city.

On resident in inner city Darlinghurst, for instance, insisted that a club on Oxford Street be closed down and the area rezoned to prevent future entertainment businesses from operating.

That’s despite Oxford Street being a well-known Sydney entertainment hub for decades.

Slowly, some councils are trying to more fully balance the needs of neighbours and venues, particularly if a venue has been operating for some time.

Online, there was much sympathy for Ms Avron’s plight.

“Thanks for your professionalism and for putting your heart and soul into this fantastic place. I hope it can survive,” said one.

“So sad it’s over, but glad that I got to do a show there,” said musician Helen Perris.

Originally published as Future of Sydney live venue targeted by NIMBYs in doubt as owner walks away