Grassroots arts venue not shutting, say owners

A grassroots arts centre is "not shutting" down and will continue to stage events, according to the family behind the venue.

The Hunter Club, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, has provided a platform for bands and artists to showcase their music and reach new audiences since 2009.

On Thursday, Nick Pooley, who managed the venue for 16 years, said his community interest company had "lost the use" of the premises.

His statement, published on social media, raised questions about the future of the site itself – but its owners have now confirmed it is "business as usual".

Lucy Allen, who is part of the Hunter family, said: "It's not shutting and has never been shutting – nothing has changed, apart from Nick going off to do something else.

"He's made the decision to leave but we're still here and the venue is still here.

"We've got some things to do to make sure it runs and is viable, but we are figuring all of that out and we are excited about the future."

Since opening, the award-winning venue in St Andrew's Street South has hosted countless gigs and events staged by the likes of BBC Introducing Live, Bury Fringe Festival and BurySOUND.

According to Pooley's statement, the Hunter Club Community Interest Company will no longer have use of the venue from 1 April.

He had said any tickets purchased for events after its final day would be refunded and musicians due to be perform would be contacted in due course.

Allen, however, has now said all events scheduled at the venue will go ahead as planned.

"There has been a wonderful community of people who have stepped up and said, 'It's a fantastic place and we really want this to continue,'" she said.

"So, we want to keep it open and we've also got a lot of events scheduled and we are honouring all of them."

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