Grassroots music venue announces closure

Sheffield grassroots music venue the Dorothy Pax has announced its "heart-breaking" closure.

In a post made on its Facebook page, it said that the industry was facing an "uphill battle" against the impact of Covid-19, rising bills and customers struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

All upcoming events at the Victoria Quays venue had been cancelled and would be refunded.

It said: "We've had our fair share of battles, and we've always come out the other side, but we've got too many wounds to lick now to continue."

The venue said it had "not been an easy decision to make".

It said: "We've had some amazing parties, produced several festivals, hosted countless world-class talent on our stage, laughed, cried, shared incredible evenings, made lifelong friends, and boogied the night away.

"However, we cannot continue to do so."

It asked for supporters to refrain from trying to offer solutions, because it had "exhausted every possible avenue".

The Music Venue Trust, which supports the grassroots industry, said: "They provided opportunities for young people, they gave resources, time and space to those who couldn't afford it otherwise, they shopped locally, they took risks on new artists, and were ambitious and kind.

"Sold-out shows no longer necessarily pay the bills."

The charity said: "The profitability of grassroots live music has collapsed, and revenue from the sale of drinks, previously relied upon to underwrite the losses, is just not there anymore as the cost of living is felt in the consumers' pockets too."

It called it "another horrible day for the charity, for Sheffield and for music fans and grassroots artists, present and future."

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