Legendary West music venue files for insolvency

One of the South West’s best known music venues has announced it is to close as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Moles in Bath announced it is to close after 45 years through a post on social media.

The club has hosted acts ranging from Oasis and Ed Sheeran and The Cure.

The Manic Street Preachers were signed after playing a gig there and Supergrass shot the cover for their debut album in the dressing room.

The owners of the venue have filed for insolvency saying that rising bills as a result of the cost of living crisis have “crippled us”.

Co-owner Tony Maddicot said: “Making the decision to close Moles was horrendous, but the reality is that live music at grassroots level is no longer economically viable.

“Massively increased costs of stock, utilities and rent compounded by our  our customers also feeling the impact of the crisis has made it impossible to continue.

“It’s obviously an incredibly difficult decision to have to take, for our team, the staff, the local community, and the artists that over the years have created such an incredible history of music.”

He added: “The reality is that live music at grassroots level is no longer economically viable.

“There needs to be a major shake-up of the live industry with the big players supporting the grassroots where it all begins to secure that pipeline of talent.”

According to the Music Venue Trust, more than 120 grassroots venues in the UK closed in 2022 — about 15 per cent of the total — with a further 84 currently in serious trouble.