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A music college's takeover of a former entertainment venue has been approved by the council. WaterBear College of Music will move into the Latest Music Bar after Brighton and Hove City Council approved a planning application for a change of use. The Manchester Street venue, which has been vacant since February 2024, will now be used as a music venue, music school, and rehearsal space.
The council's planning report noted that the proposed use of the building would be similar to its existing use, including a bar and live music space, although it may be more active during the day due to its educational element. The premises, which are listed, can be used without physical alterations, which the council saw as a benefit. Latest Music Bar on Manchester Street (Image: Google) Despite the approval, the council received representations from two individuals objecting to the proposed development.
Concerns were raised about noise and disturbance throughout the day, the need for operating hours to be limited, and noise and disturbance through night-time activity. Other concerns included disturbance from people congregating in the street, student smoking creating a hazard and nuisance, and the potential for traffic and rubbish to worsen. READ NEXT: Fears new outdoor seating at seafront restaurant will trigger 'bumping and jostling' The WaterBear Music Bar, as it will now be known, will undergo a refurbishment, with the basement remaining a dedicated live music space and the ground floor featuring a bar and an intimate performance area.
The revamped space will be available for booking by touring bands and artists, and WaterBear students will have access to the venue for classes, rehearsals, performances, and stagecraft development. The space will be used for live performance and rehearsing (Image: WaterBear) WaterBear Music College has been expanding its footprint in the city of late. It already runs the WaterBear venue at the former Funky Buddha site in King’s Road Arches, and was recently granted permission to expand its operations in Hanover House on Queens Road .
WaterBear founder Bruce Dickinson said: "It’s incredible to think that we now have two live music venues in the city. "It’s so important to ensure we don’t lose these spaces. "These are the places where the magic happens—where talent and careers take shape, where artists, bands, and songwriters grow and mature to the point of making great records.
" WaterBear Music College will be leasing, not purchasing, the Manchester Street premises..
