A music venue in Bracknell has had to permanently close down after a decade as the space it occupied in the town centre is due to be demolished.
A music venue in Bracknell, known as The Couch, has permanently closed after a decade due to the impending demolition of its building. The venue, which was previously called The Acoustic Couch, had operated from the High Street car park since 2015, providing a space for live music, a recording studio, and rehearsal rooms.
The closure follows the Bracknell Forest Council's decision, made in March, to shut down the car park over structural issues like crumbling concrete. The Couch celebrated its final night with a performance by The Ogretones, supported by Myopia and 4Foxsake, on Saturday, August 23.
Despite efforts, the council was unable to find an alternative venue for The Couch. Sarah Varley, the council's assistant director for property, stated, "Due to safety concerns, we had to vacate the High Street car park. We’ve been in contact with tenants like The Couch to offer support, but unfortunately, a suitable new site couldn’t be found."
Currently, only three commercial properties are available for rent in Bracknell, and The Couch would need new licensing for live music at any potential site. The High Street car park will be replaced by a £2.2 million redevelopment, which may include community spaces for music or arts in the future. Varley also mentioned that a new music venue is set to open in The Lexicon later this year, after Musica bar received permission to host live music in the former TGI Fridays restaurant.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
