Volunteers running Main Street's Little Mountain Gallery fear they'll lose their ability to host "small, affordable, alcohol-free, all-ages concerts" after being warned by a city inspector that the events are being held contrary to the gallery's business licence.

The gallery, located just off Main Street at 195 East 26th Ave., is licensed as a retail art gallery and opened more than four years ago. Little Mountain Gallery started renting space for shows regularly more than two years ago, but its activities have only now been noticed by the city, according to Sean Ramsay, a gallery volunteer.

The so-called "do-it-yourself" space is used by a variety of artists, including musicians and theatre groups. Ramsay said the gallery doesn't discriminate against genre, gender, age or income.

"Our space is open to anyone who would like to use it. It acts as a sort of testing ground for all types of new and interesting music and art," he said, adding shows end by 10 p.m. "Because it's affordable, artists are able to take chances they wouldn't be able to take at a more expensive, exclusive venue. Because it's all ages, Vancouverites of any age can attend or play shows here."

The gallery doesn't have paid staff and is run by a small group of volunteers. If shows are prohibited, its survival is uncertain since rental fees help cover its monthly rent.

"Right now the city doesn't have a licence for a space like Little Mountain. It doesn't understand what we are. I don't know when the city's bylaws were written, but at that time they only saw shows happening in places like bars or certain limited-use restaurants. They really don't understand the concept of having a space that's solely designated for art in all of its various guises," Ramsay said.

Gallery volunteers are expecting to meet with Coun. Heather Deal Thursday.

One person recently complained about the gallery to the city, which sparked a visit from an inspector, confirmed Tom Hamilton, a supervisor in the city's property use inspection department.

The inspector is on holiday, so Hamilton hasn't seen a report yet, but he acknowledged if the gallery is operating contrary to its licence it will need proper approvals to operate as an assembly hall.

Hamilton said the city would be concerned about the gallery's impact on the neighbourhood and life and safety concerns relating to fire and occupancy load and exiting requirements.

"They would have to get the approvals or ultimately cease doing what they're doing," he said.

"Their best bet would be to come down and speak to someone in the zoning enquiry centre about what they're doing. I'm sure they could be accommodated. They may not be able to be accommodated at the exact location they want to be but there are other operations--none that come to mind off the top of my head like this--that I could refer you to, but I've heard of these operations before and some of them have been successfully licensed."

noconnor@vancourier.com