Grassroots music venue to close after 16 years

A much-loved arts centre has announced "with great sadness" it is to shut after 16 years.

The Hunter Club, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, will close its doors on 28 March ahead of losing the use of its current premises, in St Andrew's Street South, on 1 April.

The venue, which is run as a community interest company, provided a platform for up-and-coming bands and artists to showcase their music and reach new audiences.

Owner Nick Pooley apologised for the closure but said the support that his labour of love had received over the years "meant the world" to him.

In a statement, published on social media, he said: "I have invested 16 years of my life into building and running the club at this site.

"I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported The Hunter Club over the years, performers, staff, volunteers, customers, and the wider community.

"Many of you have been such an important part of The Hunter Club over the years. Thank you for your understanding, patience and support."

Since opening in 2009, the venue has hosted countless gigs and events staged by the likes of BBC Introducing Live and BurySOUND.

It also doubled-up as a recording studio in which young creatives could do everything from lay down a new track to record an episode of a podcast.

A lot of the equipment used in the studio – worth thousands of pounds - was only purchased last year, and Pooley has vowed to see it continue to be put to good use.

"There are a lot of passionate people that work tirelessly to create events in Bury St Edmunds, and they won't be stopping that work anytime soon," he added.

"The Hunter Club CIC still owns a lot of equipment and that equipment belongs to you – the community.

"I will make it my personal mission to ensure that promoters and event organisers can make full use of this equipment."

The venue said that any tickets that have been purchased for events after its closure will be refunded and musicians due to be performed will be contacted in due course.

"I hope to see as of you there as possible over the next few weeks. Please continue to support The Hunter Club in the meantime," he said.

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