Moles nightclub should be 'asset of community value', supporters say

Barely 30 people came to see The Smiths when they played in Moles at the start of their career, its owner said

The owner of Moles nightclub has warned Bath will lose out culturally to Bristol if the venue shuts permanently.

The iconic grassroots music venue closed in December 2023 after 45 years due to rising costs.

It was famous for hosting early gigs by bands like Pulp and The Smiths.

The owner said: "Moles closing effectively takes Bath off that minor touring circuit," unless it can be saved by gaining recognition as an "asset of community value".

The Music Venue Trust charity has submitted a plan to try to save Moles by applying for this official status.

But Bath and North East Somerset Council said there was little evidence Moles furthered social wellbeing, and argued there were other similar facilities in the city already.

The council said the application had failed on technicalities but the door was still open for the Trust to apply again.

Tom Maddicott, who first started working at Moles in 1992 and took over as owner in 2012, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the council's decision was "very, very disappointing."

He added: "Something like this doesn't guarantee its survival, but it gives it some protection. Hopefully this is something that can be rectified and common sense can prevail."

Mr Maddicott warned: "Moles closing effectively takes Bath off that minor touring circuit. Those bands won't come to Bath any more. They will go to Bristol. Bath will have lost out hugely culturally."

Ed Sheeran played the venue in 2011, shortly before releasing his debut album

Last year, 125 grassroots music venues like Moles closed across the UK.

"The reason venues are struggling is because they take these risks to put on these new artists," said Mr Maddicott.

He is among the voices calling for a £1 levy on gig tickets for concert arenas to fund smaller venues.

The idea has recently been raised at the cross-party Culture, Media and Sport Committee in Parliament, whose MPs are carrying out an inquiry into grassroots music venues.

More than 4,200 people signed a petition to save Moles when it closed.