Luton’s world-renowned jazz and blues venue The Bear Club has penned a new lease to provide a “more secure future” for the live music spot after a life-saving intervention from Luton Town Football Club.
In May it was announced that the Hatters’ property division, 2020 Developments, had stepped in and were about to buy the building in Mill Yard off Guilford Street after four months of uncertainty where it looked like the live music spot would have to close with the building then sold to property developers and carved up for housing.
In a statement at the time, the CEO of Luton Town FC and 2020 Developments, Gary Sweet said: “When we learnt that the building was about to be sold to a buyer which meant The Bear would be left homeless, we simply could not stand by and let it happen. It means too much to the town, its endangered nightlife and its independent cultural spirit.”
And now the signing of a new lease has confirmed The Bear Club’s place in Luton town centre and a continued cultural offering which will be on the doorstep of Luton Town’s forthcoming new stadium development at Power Court.
In a statement last night, Bear Club owners Giles Willits and Neil Simmonds, said: “We are delighted to finally announce that The Bear is staying put! After a lot of ups and downs over the last few months, and having come perilously close to having to close or move, we can confirm that we have now signed a new lease ensuring that The Bear remains in its natural habitat for the foreseeable future.
“We would like to express our thanks to Luton Town Football Club for stepping in at the last minute to buy the building and for doing so with the express purpose of saving The Bear. We look forward to a more secure future with less focus on ensuring our survival and more on providing many more top-quality nights for you to enjoy world-class music in the surroundings we all love. Long live The Bear!”
