Charlotte is set to reopen
Leicester's most iconic gig venue is set to reopen its doors for live music next month.
The Charlotte, which closed in January, has now been sold by former owners Punch Taverns.
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The Screening
Music lovers Tim Sturgess, Jonny Hunt, Olly Ford and Gareth Ford are leasing the premises from its new owners to put on regular music nights, focusing on unsigned local bands.
Leicester band The Screening will play on the opening night, Thursday, October 8, and the group is also in talks to get a major touring act to play on the Friday night.
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Tim, who lives in Countesthorpe, previously ran club nights and unsigned music events at The Cafe Bar, in Hinckley.
The 33-year-old said: "I used to go to gigs at the Charlotte and there were loads of people who were really disappointed when it closed.
"I got in touch with the new owners a couple of weeks ago and now we've secured a short-term deal.
"Everyone wants to see it open again and it's really good that we've been able to do it."
The venue, which played host to acts including Oasis, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and Leicester band Kasabian, shut in January after running out of cash. The new managing group will be operating the venue as a social enterprise rather than a business, meaning any profits will be ploughed back into the Charlotte.
They will also be eligible for grant funding.
The group is also hoping to offer the venue as rehearsal space for acts during the day, and are also in talks to set up music courses.
Tim said: "We have secured a six-month deal from the new owners, however we are working with them to hopefully secure something more long-term to ensure the Charlotte is kept intact."
Leicester band The Screening played one of the last gigs before the venue closed in January.
Lead singer Tom Nurse saidthe band are excited about taking to the famous stage again.
He said: "It will be really good to go back. Leicester's not been the same since it went.
"It needed someone to take it on and I'm sure it will get a lot of support because there were so many campaigns to save it when it closed before."
Developers who have taken over the venue, in Oxford Street, Leicester, would not reveal their identity to the Mercury, but confirmed it is set to reopen.
Comments
by Andy, Leicester
Friday, October 16 2009, 9:19AM
“The Charlotte may have put on all of them 'popular' bands, but the majority of them were when they were pretty small. It had nothing to do with The Charlotte being talent scouts. They basically booked ANY band that sent them an email, occasionally a few 'descent' bands slipped through the net, but the majority were terribly amateur bands who always left the venue shortly after their set. No musicanship whatsoever!
The venue is shockingly bad and personally I feel that the Leicester Music Scene started the thrive when that dosshole closed.
Let's get rid of it for good shall we? What's the point in resurrecting the place when there are far nicer venues in the city. Honestly.
Go to The Firebug and Sumo instead. Better sound, better atmosphere, better bands. They have a quality filter. FACT!”
by Cat, Leicester
Friday, October 09 2009, 11:21AM
“I'm sorry to be writing to you Alan but I'm going to have to strongly disagree with your comment. Just because your music taste is diabolical does not mean you have the right to judge decent hardworking local bands. Ok admittedly the charlotte was no hammersmith apollo but this is leicester and you can't deny that never put on good bands! OASIS, ARCTIC MONKEYS, PULP, SCISSOR SISTERS, BLUR, THE KOOKS, KASABIAN! Thankyou Darling!”
by Neil, Leicester
Wednesday, October 07 2009, 10:17AM
“So its not been refurbed and its opening as a social venue? Good luck with that, it was loads better when it had the bar at the front and didnt constantly stink of stale urine. It sounds awful in there too, unless it gets properly sorted out it will fall to pieces. I say close it, gut it and try again.”
by Hannah, Leicester
Monday, September 28 2009, 9:13AM
“Never put on any good bands?!
Oasis, Coldplay and the Arctic Monkeys not good enough for you Alan - honestly!
I'm over the moon that the Charlotte is opening it's doors again. Can't wait!”
by DC, London
Friday, September 11 2009, 8:02AM
“It was never really the same since they remodeled it and got rid of the front and back bars IMHO.”
by hayley, leicester
Wednesday, September 09 2009, 2:54PM
“best bloody news ever! alan you obviously have no idea what your talking about.”
by alan, leicester
Wednesday, September 09 2009, 2:09PM
“Who cares. Terrible venue, hardly ever puts on any good bands.”
by Gem, Leicester
Wednesday, September 09 2009, 1:45PM
“Amazing! such a great venue and so much history there its really great for leicesters music scene lookign forward to seeing some great new bands there”
by KH, Leicester
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 9:06AM
“I say, how jolly :)”