Leamington Assembly to close with immediate effect

The Leamington Assembly is to close with immediate effect, it has been announced.

A post on the venue’s Twitter on Tuesday, 4 June, owed the closure to “the current level of rent and rates on the property, alongside repairs and upkeep that are needed to maintain a Grade 2 listed building”, stating that it was “unviable”.

It is with deep regret that The MJR Group has made the decision to close The Assembly in Leamington Spa with immediate effect.

Full statement: pic.twitter.com/b37itD2u81

— The Assembly (@LeamAssembly) June 4, 2019

The Assembly, which opened in its current form in 2008 and is owned by the MJR Group, hosts regular student favourites including Keep the Faith and Bongo’s Bingo. All upcoming events will be relocated, or the tickets refunded. The venue has gone through multiple iterations in its 73-year history; most recently, under its current owners, it has hosted acts including Basshunter, Russell Howard and The Kooks.

Regarding the closure, a second-year English Literature and Creative Writing student said: “Good riddance. It never really appealed to the students and it was never a good scene. The nights they had like Luvbug don’t hold a candle to Neon, which is right next door. [I] am gutted about Keep the Faith, Bongo’s Bingo and EDM raves though.”

Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, called the closure “devastating news” and said that a “huge asset to our community had been lost”.

Devastating news – The Assembly is an incredibly important part of Leamington’s music scene and nightlife. A huge asset to our community has been lost.

So many great events and memories for many and judging by the response to the announcement so far – it will be dearly missed! https://t.co/4sMmMMIDcn

— Matt Western MP (@MattWestern_) June 4, 2019

No confirmation has yet been provided as to whether the Assembly will reopen in future.