Music venue closes its doors after challenging start and spiralling costs

The Globe in Lowestoft's High Street was given a new lease of life in July but it was hit by challenges shortly after opening.

Ben Hampton started the venture with a business partner but soon after launching his involvement ended, and funding that had been promised was no longer available.

Mr Hampton said: "I was on the back foot right from the start.

"I had no previous experience of running a music venue and was hoping my business partner, who said he had, would help show me the ropes.

"When his involvement ended it left me with a big gap in funding for the project and I had to learn everything from scratch.

"I managed to put together a decent programme of events and offered a space for musicians in the area that was missing previously.

"I tried everything to make it work but it just got more and more difficult and with rising costs it just became unviable."

The 38-year-old, who had previously worked as a graphic designer, was forced to take on other jobs to try keep the venue afloat, determined to continue supporting the grassroots venue.

But this meant it became increasingly difficult to fit running the pub around his other jobs and it could no longer open seven days a week.

"There was a huge amount of support for opening this kind of space for music in the town" said Mr Hampton, adding: "but if people don't use it, then they will die.

"I went to a Music Venue Trust event recently and they gave a bleak outlook, with ticket sales and bar sales down more than 20pc across the board and costs of running a venue rising.

"Musicians want people to hear their music but if people aren't willing to go to events and give love to the venues the scene will disappear."

The closure is a blow to live music in the town, with The Grit in Old Nelson Street now one of the only dedicated music venues left.

But there is hope that The Globe will reopen shortly under new management, with music events to continue in some capacity.