A LEES bar has announced it has closed as people prepared for New Year’s Eve.
The Venue, on High Street, had been trading for three years in what was previously known as Legends.
But as 2025 came to a close, it was confirmed the doors are shut and will not be reopening.
In a short statement, the Venue – whose licensee was listed as Mark Howard, who has also been involved with the Top House in Springhead and nearby Chapter One, when it was granted in November 2022 – said: “We are sorry to announce that we have ceased trading
“Thank you to all those of you that have supported us over the last three years.”
In May, The Venue denied rumours it had closed as it revealed the costs of showing live sport were too high.
A social media post stated: “There are rumours that The Venue is closed. THAT IS NOT TRUE
“We have cancelled Sky and BT as the monthly cost was nearly £2,000 and we are not getting support we need to continue.
“If you have been avoiding because of too much sport this has now changed and we will only be showing Sport if it’s on BBC or ITV.”
News of The Venue’s closure was greeted with sorrow by other Lees establishments.
Bosses at The Devi Lounge, which lies nearby on Elliott Street and says it will be open early this year following renovation work, said: “We’re truly saddened to hear about the closure of The Venue.
“Local businesses are the heart of our community, and it’s never easy to see one close its doors.
“We’d like to wish the team behind The Venue all the very best for the future and thank them for the memories and moments they’ve provided to so many people.”
Customers also told of their shock at the news, with one saying: “You did everything you could to try and make it work.
“I really thought a sports bar and venue that size in the centre of Lees would have taken off.”
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