Bear Club signs new lease after iconic jazz venue in Luton was saved from closure
The Bear Club was saved from closure after the property arm of Luton Town FC bought the building in Guildford Street in May.
Uncertainty about the Bear Club’s future had circulated for months after the freeholders of the Mill Yard site announced their decision to sell the venue.
The Luton News reported the building’s new owners were “keen to keep” the venue open – and 2020 Developments, the property division of Luton Town FC, was revealed as the buyer of the historic building bringing an end to the uncertainty.
A statement on The Bear’s X account, said: “We are delighted to finally announce that The Bear is staying put.
“After a lot of ups and downs over the last few months and having come perilously close to having to close or move we can now confirm that we have now signed a new lease ensuring the The Bear remains in its natural habitat for the foreseeable future.
“We would like to extend out thanks to Luton Town Football Club after stepping in at the last minute to buy the building, and for doing so with the express purpose of saving The Bear.
“We look forward to a more secure future providing many more top quality nights with world class music.”
The Bear Club is located next to the Power Court site, a new football stadium which will replace the Kenilworth Road ground. The area is undergoing major redevelopment, with plans to close the Bute Street car park to make way for the The Stage project.
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Luton Town – Give The Lad His Chance Urge The Hatters Support
With EFL Championship football our bread and butter this season, it’ll be interesting to see what starting XI’s the gaffer fields in the first few fixtures.
Although the Hatters have been, so far, relatively quiet in the summer transfer market, I’m still of the opinion there will be a raft of deals done, in the coming months, that will see some players arrive and others leave.
Indeed, our most recent poll asks you to vote for what position you feel needs strengthening the most:
However, when it comes to the defence, if injuries can be avoided, I reckon we are well covered, even more so if young Joe Johnson can continue the progress he has made since making his Premier League debut last season.
A recent article – a-difficult-decision-needs-to-be-made – contained a poll asking for your views on whether Joe should be kept at the club this season or sent out on loan, questioning whether he would get more games out on loan than he would in the Hatters first team.
The result of the poll shows that you are in no doubt as to what the decision should be with a huge 72% reckoning he should be kept in the Luton Town squad this season while the remaining 28% feel a loan move, probably resulting in more game time, would be the best option.
As the original article suggested, it is a hard decision to make, but I’m under no illusion that if Joe is given his chance he’ll grab it with both hands and give Rob Edwards no option other than to keep him in the starting XI.
