Council responds after popular Leeds nightclub points finger amid closure
Leeds City Council has responded after a nightclub, which is closing down, blamed them and 'uncompromising landlords' for their departure from the city centre.
The local authority and government has 'little interest' in culture, according to the 'devastated' team behind the Old Red Bus Station - a club known for playing underground music like jungle and drum and bass. They went even as far to imply the council had been working 'against them'.
The council defended itself, pointing out that it had worked closely with the venue in the past and provided relief rates to support them. The authority added that it holds a range of cultural events and attractions to support the creative sector in Leeds.
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Old Red Bus Station will be closing down for good after a final farewell night on Saturday, January 18. It is also known for its prominent location on Vicar Lane, at the site of a converted bus station which closed down in 1990.
The club owners made the sudden announcement of its imminent closure on Instragram on Saturday, January 11. They hit out at landlords and the council, listed a range of economic reasons for shutting down, while also praising the grassroots scene for underground music in Leeds.
The statement included: "Like many small grassroots venues across the country, we have faced an unassailable task of fighting the cost of living crisis with rising utilities, uncompromising landlords, and a local council and government that has little interest in preserving one of the only things this country has to be proud of - its culture. Coupled with no option to secure a long term lease, it is simply unfeasible to continue operating.
"As one of the only venues in Leeds consistently promoting grass roots talent through our longstanding promoter residency programme, open decks, and artist development residencies, we can't help but feel devastated about the closure of yet another small venue where these artists can cut their teeth and learn the industry.
"These spaces are becoming increasingly few and far between, and without serious intervention will soon be lost entirely, so we implore every council across the country to realise the vital importance of such venues, and the need to work alongside them, not against them."
In response, a Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “We were made aware of the closure of the Old Red Bus Station this weekend and would like to thank them for the contribution they have made to the Leeds cultural scene over the years. We have worked closely with the venue in the past and provided rates relief discount as part of the Government’s Retail Hospitality and Leisure Relief scheme.
“We recognise the important contribution that grassroots music venues – and the creative sector as a whole – make to the vibrancy and economic wellbeing of our city, and that cultural events and attractions play a vital role in bringing people to Leeds. We would encourage businesses that are struggling to continue to work with us so we can explore how we can help.”
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