Connecting the live music industry
UK Venue to close after 31 years
December19
Leicester music venue The Shed has announced it will close permanently after more than three decades in operation.
The venue, located on Yeoman Street in Leicester city centre, confirmed the decision in a statement issued on Thursday. The Shed has operated for 31 years and has been a long-standing fixture in the city’s live music and alternative culture.
Management said the decision followed sustained efforts to secure the venue’s future. According to the statement, the team explored a range of options but ultimately concluded that continuing to operate the venue was no longer viable.
The announcement follows the submission of planning documents earlier this year proposing a change of use for the site. Nottingham-based business Saracens submitted plans to Leicester City Council to convert the premises into a shisha café and restaurant.
Over its three-decade history, The Shed supported emerging artists and hosted a wide range of live performances. Acts that appeared at the venue early in their careers include Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys and Ellie Goulding.
In its statement, The Shed said: “This decision has not been made lightly. We want to be clear that we have pursued every possible avenue to secure the venue’s future. Our team, management, and staff have all worked tirelessly, both publicly and behind the scenes, to keep The Shed operating. Despite these sustained efforts, we have reached a point where continuing is no longer viable.”
The Music Venue Trust also commented on the closure, describing it as another loss for the UK’s grassroots live music sector. In a statement, the organisation said: “Sadly, despite the dedication of The Shed team and an illustrious history, the venue has reached a juncture where continuing isn’t manageable and The Shed will close after one last hurrah this New Year’s Eve. Leicester has lost a significant portion of its cultural landscape, artists and live music professionals have one fewer space to work from, and local live music communities are far worse off. Everyone loses.”
The Music Venue Trust added that it continues to call for greater coordination and support across the live music industry, stating that delays in implementing national support mechanisms for grassroots venues are contributing to ongoing closures across the country.
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