Wollongong To Lose Yours & Owls Venue

Boutique Wollongong venue Yours & Owls is set to move from the region, with the building put on the market and the owner likely to transfer the name to a new city.

The venue was put up for sale yesterday for $40,000, with the agent offering the full liquor license, bar set-up, sound equipment and new lease in the sale. “This business is being sold well under marklet value,” the listing reads.

In the last two years Yours & Owls has become one of the reliable destinations for live music in the Illawarra, a region that has vowed to support venues.

Owner Ben Tillman told local blog Bear Media, “The sale doesn't include the name, we'll be taking that with us… Wherever that may be. We don't have to start again, as it's already begun. I guess it's a question of whether to keep on going?”

He admitted that the Yours & Owls name may move to Melbourne or “west”.

“We have lots of plans, a possible festival collaborating with some cool crews at the end of the year,” Tillman said. “More bigger shows here and there. And then… Not certain yet. There is a lot to consider.”

Tillman hopes that the venue goes to like-minded music fans but the building's future will be at the discretion of any potential buyer.

Today local live music campaigner Jessie Hunt told theMusic.com.au that she hoped new owners would continue live music and that council will support the industry.

“It's sad to hear that the old venue is closing down – it was a place that had become a kind of second home for young musicians and music fans alike. The owners of Yours & Owls have made an incredible contribution to Wollongong's live music scene, and at great personal cost – thanks to the trials and tribulations of [the owners], next time someone tries to set up an independent live music venue in Wollongong, it won't be quite so difficult.

“The problems that Owls has had with police and with council are also lessons for music advocate: they highlight the parts of policy we have to reform, and the parties we need to work with.”

Last night The Smith Street Band's Wil Wagner played at the venue and they currently have dates lined up for Sleepmakeswaves, Kirin J Callinan and Laura Imbruglia. It opened in 2010 and is considered a pioneer of the region's small bar surge.