Charlotte is set to reopen

By gpeplow gemma peplow

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.

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.

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.