Music venue to close after 25 years in city centre

Darren Nockles announced the sale of The Musician Pub on 31 January

The owner of a live music venue in Leicester has announced it is closing after 25 years in the city centre.

The Musician Pub has operated from Crafton Street West since the early 2000s, offering live music at least six nights a week with a capacity of 220 people.

But owner Darren Nockles confirmed he had "sadly" sold the pub and said "a new chapter has begun".

Mr Nockles added the pub was partnered with music venue The International, in Garden Street, where acts are still able to perform.

In a post on the pub's Facebook page, he described The International as "a superb venue" and asked people to support it.

A 2024 annual report from The Music Venue Trust, a charity which represents hundreds of UK Grassroots Music Venues, found cities such as Leicester have dropped off the primary route for live music.

It found the number of live music shows in the UK is down by 8.3% since 2023 alongside a steeper decline in ticket revenues, which dropped 13.5% during the same period.

Mr Nockles said he had contacted The Music Venues Trust, but closure was decided to be the best outcome.

He added: "After extensive talks with the trust a tough decision had to be made that the most sustainable route forward was to move.

"The building needs considerable amounts of money spending on it and the business faces huge financial challenges."

Mr Nockles thanked all the pub's musicians, promoters, sound engineers, staff, partners and supporters.

"But most of all to you for buying tickets and loving music as much as we do," he added.

"A venue is nothing without the dedication and creativity of those who perform and work there."