23 Bath St hit by national independent music venue crisis

An independent live music and arts venue in the heart of the town centre, 23 Bath St, is closing its doors at the end of the year after reporting financial struggles – a crisis facing independent music venues across the country. 

The venue has been open for 10 years and hosts a variety of community events and live music and open mic nights. It is closing its doors at the end of the year due to high costs, the rising cost of living, a change in audience behaviours and building issues and has said it’s last event will be on New Year’s Eve. 

“We have worked hard over the last 10 years to provide a professional, safe, fun, creative and supportive events venue. Being 100% independent, the venue is unfortunately untenable for us,” read a statement on the venue’s Facebook page. 

“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey, especially the volunteers who worked to get it open, the artists who have played, everyone who has ever worked with us and to you, our awesome amazing audience. Thank you so much for supporting this venture. We’re heartbroken to see it go, but we hope someone else can fill the space with new energy and keep growing this lush music and arts venue for the benefit of all the Frome community and afar.” 

Earlier this year, it was reported by The Music Venue Trust, a charity that acts to protect, secure and improve grass-roots music venues, that in 2023, financial stresses led to 125 UK venues abandoning live music, with over half of these venues closing entirely.  

“Independent venues and night clubs in the UK are closing at an alarming rate,” said 23 Bath St. “If you want to know more about the crisis facing venues, the Music Venue Trust works tirelessly to save as many venues as possible and raise awareness of the issues facing the industry.” 

Advocating the importance of supporting local independent music venues, the Cheese and Grain said in a statement on its Facebook page, “The venue’s closure will be a massive loss to the south west music scene. With 120+ grassroots music venues closing in 2023, there has never been a more important time to support local venues.  

“We are lucky that we still have six months to enjoy great events at 23 Bath St, so strongly encourage checking out their listings and ensuring that the venue is given the send-off it so richly deserves!”