"Keep The Boat Race Live"
A review of The Boat Race by Karl Hartland - Sunday 18th of January 2004
For years the Boat Race has been a hot-bed up and coming talent and a return venue for many quality artists in Cambridge.
The following statement has been released by Enterprise Inns plc, the brewery behind the Boat Race.
-The Boat Race in Cambridge will be closing towards the end of January for a
substantial refurbishment to improve the facilities and meet the demands of
the surrounding developing area. We are currently unsure of closure dates as
we are liaising with a number of contractors. Needless to say we will be
keen to help the lessee/licensee to promote the site once it is ready for re-
opening. There will be a new lessee/licensee for the pub and we cannot yet
comment about the style of operation he/she will choose to adopt and whether
that includes live music. However, we can say that we hope the pub will
appeal to a range of customers, including exisiting ones. Thank you very
much for the interest you have shown in the pub, we will endeavour to pass
your comments on to the future lessee/licensee.
The word is that we will gain a new wine bar/restaurant and lose a classic Cambridge venue in a time where resources for small live gigs in the city are limited.
I represent a collective of promoters, DJs and broadcasters in Cambridge who want to bring quality artists to play here and allow local talent to showcase their excellent work.
The closure of the Boat Race will jeopardise this work for us and all others doing the same and impoverish the choices available to music and arts lovers.
The old girl has seen better days it is true, in appearance and reputation, but with careful reinvestment and cheap refurbishment, we feel that she can be kept going and help Cambridge stand up with Norwich (who's music and arts scenes are currently thriving way beyond Cambridge's dreams, don't you know), ultimately helping to keep musicians of quality play live in East Anglia.
PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN WITHOUT A PEACEFUL FIGHT!
We are currently gathering names and contacts to submit to Enterprise Inns plc as a petition against the closure of the Boat Race as a live venue BEFORE THE END OF JAN 04.
Please send names and contact details to themachine@209radio.co.uk
We will keep all details confidential until submission to Enterprise and will not be used for any other purpose.
Thankyou
Karl Hartland (209radio/Charlie Don't Surf Alliance)
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