Saving the Cobblestone must mark a turning point in the battle for cultural space

Labour Party spokesperson on arts and culture Senator Marie Sherlock has strongly welcomed the decision by Dublin City Council to refuse permission for a hotel on the site of the Cobblestone Pub.

Speaking this morning, Senator Sherlock said that this must be a turning point in the battle for cultural spaces in Dublin and that resources must be made available for the number of artistic and cultural venues to expand.

Senator Sherlock said:

“It is a massive relief that this thoughtless destruction of cultural space has been averted.

“This decision is a huge credit to the 700-plus people who made submissions, along with the thousands more who supported this cause via the online petition or who took part in the two public days of action to Save the Cobblestone.

“Critically, we need to ensure that this is a turning point in the battle for Dublin’s cultural spaces.

“Today cannot be a one-off. We must build on the movement that has come together to save the Cobblestone and reverse the decades-long hollowing out of cultural space in our city.

“Over the past twenty years we have seen countless nightclubs, pubs and creative spaces bought out and turned into hotels or other commercial uses.”

Senator Sherlock continued:

“Critically, we now need to see the State and local authorities protecting and expanding cultural space by directly purchasing and supporting the purchase of dedicated properties for cultural and artistic activities.”