Cambridge Hotel Team ‘Looking At All Options’ With Lease Set To Expire

The team behind beloved Newcastle live music venue Cambridge Hotel have issued a statement following news earlier this week they’d be shutting their doors to live music next year.

With their lease coming to an end in June of 2023 before developer swoop in for inner-city student accommodation, not all hope is lost for the city’s live music scene, with the team revealing they are “currently looking at all options” to ensure “the live music scene is still supported”.

“We just want to clear the air with all our music lovers in Newcastle and beyond,” a statement on Facebook reads.

“We have had the lease at the Cambridge for 6 years and loved every minute of it. Sadly we have never owned the real estate and at the culmination of our lease the life of the Cambo seems like it will come to an end.

“We love live music and have worked extremely hard to bring some of the biggest Australian and international artists to The Cambo and whilst it is out of our hands, we will continue to do that for the remaining 15 months of our lease.

“We have plans to make sure the live music scene is still supported in this city and are currently looking at all options. For now, it will be business as usual supporting all levels of music til the end.”

The post has seen overwhelming support from punters and artists with Phil Jamieson sharing his early experiences at the venue, while stating, “I’ll be there when the doors close.”

“I’ve been coming to your venue as a punter since I was 15 years old,” Jamieson said.

“My first show was Tumbleweed & The Meanies standing outside peering through a chain link fence cause I was underage. Grinspoon have played many shows there and I’ve done a bunch of solo stuff there as well.”

Lime Cordiale added: “Some loaded music lover can surely turn up and save the day here! We’ve played so many fun ones at The Cambridge. Remember when Troy Cassar-Daley turned up and we all had a belter?”

Pending approval, developer Linkcity’s multi-million-dollar redevelopment will commence in July of next year.

The original art deco 1940s building will be incorporated into the new development, which will see a 19-storey building constructed if approved.

Last year it was revealed the venue was for sale and that its future as a live music venue was up in the air.

The Cambridge site, which was previously up for sale in 2017, has been the home for live music in Newcastle for over 50 years and has played host to a number of big name acts including Silverchair, Tash Sultana, PNAU and quite the controversial gig in 2015 from US rapper Childish Gambino.

In the coming weeks, the venue is set to host Alex Lahey, Luca Brasi, Frenzal Rhomb, Hiatus Kaiyote, The Bronx and more.