The temporary concert hall built to stage major concerts and shows during Derry’s City of Culture is to torn down as a result of no interest from the private sector to have it maintained.
Coming down: The Venue.
The Venue has hosted a number of major events including BBC Radio One’s hugely successful One Big Weekend, Status Quo, Elvis Costello and the Ulster boxing championship finals.
Confirmation the building was to be demolished in the New Year was today by the Department of Social Development (DSD). It is estimated to take around £72,000 a year to run the venue.
Foyle SDLP Mark Durkan said while the DSD announcement was “regrettable” he did not believe Derry needed a venue of such a scale as a permanent fixture.
He said: “I regret that private sector interest in using or taking on The Venue has not been forthcoming. The Venue has been a huge asset to Derry during the City of Culture year.
“It would seem – at this particularly difficult economic time – that the numbers and prospective revenue for such private sector players have not stacked up.”
Mr Durkan added: “However, I am one of those who firmly believes that Derry needs a venue of such scale and capacity as a permanent fixture in the city.”
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