Le Pub in Newport has been acquired to ensure its future and boost local music.
Newport: A beloved music spot in Newport has found new owners who are all about supporting local music. This is great news for the venue and the city!
Le Pub has been a key player in Newport’s music scene since it opened back in 1992. It’s a place where many have enjoyed live performances over the years.
Recently, Music Venue Properties (MVP) announced they’ve taken over Le Pub. Their goal? To protect grassroots music venues across the UK. Sounds promising, right?
Samantha Dabb, the manager, is thrilled about the change. She mentioned how having a landlord who truly cares about live music will make a huge difference for them.
MVP started their #OwnOurVenues initiative in 2022 to help keep these venues safe from risky leases. It’s all about community ownership, which is pretty cool.
Ms. Dabb shared that the process to get here was long but worth it. MVP has been supportive every step of the way, which is reassuring.
Local businesses are also excited about the takeover. They hope it will bring more people into the city center, which has been a bit quiet lately.
Pea Robins from the nearby Murenger Pub said it’s great to see Le Pub thriving. Sue Reynolds from Slippin Jimmy’s echoed that sentiment, hoping it’ll draw more visitors to Newport.
The takeover was backed by the Community Ownership Fund, which provided £250,000 last year to help buy Le Pub. That’s a solid investment in the community!
Ms. Dabb mentioned that since joining the MVP pilot scheme, they’ve expanded their staff and improved their live music offerings. They even built a practice room and studio to support local artists.
Looking ahead, they’re considering renovations to the upper floors of the building to create more community spaces. Exciting changes are on the horizon!
Matthew Otridge from MVP expressed his gratitude for being part of this journey and is eager to work with Le Pub and its community to realize their vision.
This takeover is a fantastic boost for Newport’s live music scene, especially after the recent opening of the Corn Exchange.
Le Pub marks MVP’s second venue purchase in Wales, showing their commitment to supporting local music.
Newport Council leader Dimitri Batrouni called it fantastic news, emphasizing the vital role music plays in the city’s life.
