Music venue could 'open forever' with charity aid

A grassroots music venue which has hosted artists such as Coldplay and Lizzo has said support from a new campaign could allow it remain open forever.

Bedford Esquires is one of seven venues that the Music Venue Properties (MVP), which is part of charity Music Venue Trust, wants to purchase using money raised by crowdfunding.

The venue has just over five years left on its lease but the landlord is planning to retire and the owners of Esquires cannot afford to buy the property themselves.

Gareth Barber the director of Esquires said: "If MVP buy it then it's owned by the community, it basically means the venue can never shut because the trust offer a long lease soon as they take it over."

Since it opened in 1990, many artists have played the venue including Muse, George Ezra and Wolf Alice.

It was also a launch pad for local talent such as Tom Grennan, Alfie Templeman and Don Broco.

The venue was recently visited by AJ Tracey as part of his tour to smaller venues this month and Irish artist CMAT is scheduled to appear in June.

Mr Barber said: "Business has never been better. The diary's really strong and we're doing really well, but we have five and half years left on our lease and our landlord wants to retire.

"The only person who wants to buy a piece of land that big in the town centre is going to want to turn it into flats.

"Unfortunately, we face the real prospect of Bedford not having this venue within the next five years."

Through its Own Our Venues campaign, MVP allows music fans to donate money and become investors in venues around the UK.

In 2023 it raised £2.88m and secured the future of five venues, including Bunkhouse in Swansea, The Ferret in Preston and The Booking Hall in Dover.

As well as Esquires, their latest campaign has targeted The Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent and The Joiners in Southampton.

It is also looking to protect "key community hubs" such as The Croft in Bristol, Peggy's Skylight in Nottingham, The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle and The Pipeline in Brighton.

In a statement MVP said: "The aim is to provide long-term stability to venues that are essential for fostering local talent and providing cultural value to existing, local infrastructure."

Mr Barber added: "With MVP behind us we can continue to grow, with a solid foundation for our future."

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.