casapete Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 (edited) Sad news for my region today with the announcement that two of Hull's music venues have closed and gone into administration following 115 days of lockdown. I'm sure many people on here will have played 'The Welly Club' which was a famous place for up and coming as well as national touring bands. It's sister venue The Polar Bear has also gone the same way. This in today's Hull Daily Mail - There has been an outpouring of emotion following the closure of two giants of Hull’s nightlife. On Thursday it was announced The Welly, in Beverley Road, and The Polar Bear, in Spring Bank, would close for good after their parent company, VMS Live, crashed into administration following 115 days of lockdown. The pair existed for decades as vital parts of Hull’s music scene and the news has been met with sadness by their punters and those associated with them. Having owned both venues, Dave Mays understands their significance to the city as well as anyone. He took over The Welly in 2000 before selling up two years ago and paid tribute to the club’s unifying atmosphere. He said: “It’s been an incredibly important part of Hull’s cultural scene for the best part of 50 years. It’s a very sad day to see its doors close but who knows what the future might bring. First opening as a dance hall back in the 1910’s The Welly was Hull’s oldest nightclub and gained a reputation as the city’s go to venue for indie and alternative music from the latter part of the twentieth century. DJ Priya and Andy Oyo, the couple behind YoYo and Loaded began putting on nights at The Welly back in the nineties and said they were devastated by the news of the two closures. Andy Oyo said: “We are both utterly devastated about the closure of The Welly Club, The Polar Bear and Hull Box Office. Edited July 16, 2020 by casapete 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyP Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Sad to hear about the clubs having to close because they will have a knock on affect for suppliers and entertainers as well as the clubs' contribution to the local council coffers. I think this covid situation has highlighted how vulnerable many businesses are these days. When major, high street names go into administration after a few weeks of lock-down and holiday companies going under, you really have to ask if they were being run correctly. I do suspect that some big names have used the current situation as an excuse to shed labour and cut costs and that 'administration' has be used as a way of avoiding paying debts. Small family businesses often work on very small margins and don't have the capacity to weather a storm of a pandemic, but you would think that national chains and global companies would have enough 'fat' to survive. The market has probably changed more in the last three months than at any time in recent years. Whether it will return to "normal" is any one's guess. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Shame to hear this. My second gig ever was at the Wellington Club about 40 years ago. Used to drink in the Polar Bear, too. Ah, well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 That’s bad, been to The Welly a few times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Just been announced that The Deaf Institute and Gorilla closing in Manchester. We played at The Deaf Institute last year and saw Victor Wooten at Gorilla a couple of years ago. Also caught Jay @crez5150 ,when he was with The Signatures, at Gorilla when they toured with Chairman of the Board. 2 venues that will really be missed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted July 17, 2020 Author Share Posted July 17, 2020 2 hours ago, Lozz196 said: That’s bad, been to The Welly a few times. I thought you'd have been to the Welly Lozz! Found this from 1980 - 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 1 hour ago, casapete said: I thought you'd have been to the Welly Lozz! Found this from 1980 - Yes, was a bit later than that though, late 80s, used to hang out with the guys from Black September/Rich Rags at Spiders among other places which given the amount of beer I drank when there I can hardly remember. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, BassBunny said: Just been announced that The Deaf Institute and Gorilla closing in Manchester. We played at The Deaf Institute last year and saw Victor Wooten at Gorilla a couple of years ago. Also caught Jay @crez5150 ,when he was with The Signatures, at Gorilla when they toured with Chairman of the Board. 2 venues that will really be missed. Gutted about those, particularly Gorilla, where in the past two years I’ve seen 2 of my favourite current artists, Lissie and The Staves. Edited July 17, 2020 by 4000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taunton-hobbit Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 In passing, talking of closed venues - does this ring any bells? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 21 hours ago, LeftyP said: , but you would think that national chains and global companies would have enough 'fat' to survive. Big companies with "Fat" generally results in big dividends and director bonus's. Not saving some for a rainy day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderbird Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Sadly pubs clubs and music venues were on the way out anyway due to a number of factors I think Covid-19 just banged the last nail in the coffin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 On 17/07/2020 at 03:50, skankdelvar said: Shame to hear this. My second gig ever was at the Wellington Club about 40 years ago. Used to drink in the Polar Bear, too. Ah, well you at hull uni at same time as moi ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andermtc Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 On 17/07/2020 at 10:02, BassBunny said: Just been announced that The Deaf Institute and Gorilla closing in Manchester. We played at The Deaf Institute last year and saw Victor Wooten at Gorilla a couple of years ago. Also caught Jay @crez5150 ,when he was with The Signatures, at Gorilla when they toured with Chairman of the Board. 2 venues that will really be missed. A shame, I'm supposed to be going to the Deaf institute for a delayed gig to see Tokyo Police Club, was planned for December. Guess I will hear at some point if it is planned for elsewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBunny Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 3 minutes ago, Andermtc said: A shame, I'm supposed to be going to the Deaf institute for a delayed gig to see Tokyo Police Club, was planned for December. Guess I will hear at some point if it is planned for elsewhere According to Manchester Evening News, there is interest in buying both Deaf Institute and Gorilla. Here's hoping. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andermtc Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 Just seen that on the BBC website so fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marillionred Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 (edited) Used to haunt the Welly and the Polar Bear in my student days in the very early 1980s. Was deafened by Budgie and Vardis at the Welly. Sad to hear of their demise. Edited July 18, 2020 by Marillionred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 10 hours ago, steve-bbb said: you at hull uni at same time as moi ? 1977-1980, chum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted July 18, 2020 Share Posted July 18, 2020 59 minutes ago, skankdelvar said: 1977-1980, chum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted July 20, 2020 Share Posted July 20, 2020 On 18/07/2020 at 19:30, skankdelvar said: 1977-1980, chum. ha you left just as i started 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 Just heard on the local grapevine that there may be a new owner interested in The Welly and The Polar Bear, so fingers crossed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 Early 80s.. the Polar Bear was sometimes welcoming to a group of us playing Irish music. Good Times! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.