Popular music venue closes its doors
A POPULAR live music venue has become the latest victim of the credit crunch. The Hertford Marquee Club, which has played host to hundreds of live gigs over the years, was forced to close its doors earlier this month. Promotions manager Jim Distortion sai
A POPULAR live music venue has become the latest victim of the credit crunch.
The Hertford Marquee Club, which has played host to hundreds of live gigs over the years, was forced to close its doors earlier this month.
Promotions manager Jim Distortion said the club closed after "instruction from the owners" after it struggled to win its battle against the recession.
He told the Welwyn & Hatfield Times: "In this present business climate it became increasingly hard to keep going.
"A thought should be given to the staff that have lost their jobs and also there is now a huge hole in Hertford where live music used to be!"
Hertford music promoter Kev Saunders added: "People stopped going there; no one was supporting it so that didn't help."
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He spoke on behalf of owner Pete Clark, who he said had been "crippled" by the business rates which had reached �1,500 a month.
SPC Live were one of the main music promoters at the Railway Street nightspot, having been responsible for performances from indie giants Athlete, Dirty Pretty Things and Blur man Graham Coxon.
They issued the following statement this week: "It is with sad regret we have to break the news that the Hertford Marquee venue has closed with immediate effect.
"In the last four years we have hosted many memorable shows there but sadly they closed their doors for the final time this Saturday, June 6."
They are also moving all shows booked for the Marquee to the Harlow Square where possible.
One regular Marquee-goer said he was "gutted" it has closed.
He said: "It has been great to have a live music venue just a short trip away.
"Strange Place Music had some cracking up-and-coming bands play there like The Maccabees and The Pigeon Detectives, and it was brilliant to have the chance to see those type of bands in an intimate venue on the doorstep.
