Exchange is a community-owned music venue in the Old Market area of the city of Bristol, in South West England. The first community-owned music venue in the city.
 | |
| Location | 72 - 73 Old Market, Bristol, BS2 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 250 |
| Opened | 2012 |
History
editOpened in 2012, it transferred to community ownership by becoming a Community Benefit Society in January 2019 after raising over their target of £250,000 through the selling of shares.[1][2][3][4]
Independent record label Specialist Subject Records opened a record shop upstairs in the venue in August 2017.[5]
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, the venue found challenges continued after restrictions were lifted. In February 2022 they mentioned to BBC News that international artists were pulling events or postponing until spring.[6]
In January 2023 the venue announced it would have to reduce opening hours in its cafe/bar due to the current financial climate.[7]
Bristol City Council announced in December 2023 that it had cut arts funding for the venue from April 2024.[8]
References
edit- ^ Wray, Daniel Dylan (20 July 2022). "'We don't want money going to private landlords': UK music venues turn to community ownership". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ "Bristol music venue Exchange launches appeal to help save it from closure". Bristol Post. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Bristol music venue Exchange saved from closure". Bristol Post. 26 October 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Exchange hopes to become Bristol's first community-owned live music venue". Bristol24/7. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Specialist Subject's First Record Shop Opens On Old Market". Bristol24/7. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Harriet (6 February 2022). "Covid: Bristol music venues and nightclubs "need more support"". Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "Bristol gig venue Exchange to reduce opening hours 'with heavy heart' due to cost of living crisis". Bristol Post. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
- ^ "Bristol City Council defends cultural venue funding cuts". BBC News. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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