Much-loved Sydney live music space Venue 505 will close at the end of this month.
Co-owner Kerri Glasscock shared the news via an open letter for the Sydney Morning Herald with Glasscock saying, "I have run the internationally renowned, multi-award-winning live music and performance venue 505 since 2004, but I will close its doors at the end of this month".
Speculation was raised yesterday when NSW Shadow Minister for Music and the Night Time Economy John Graham revealed that a "prominent" Sydney live music venue is at risk of closing its doors that afternoon during discussions about support for the music sector post-JobKeeper in the morning's Parliament session.
"The NSW Treasurer’s remarks this week coincided with conversations I was having with my staff, contractors, suppliers and customers that my business would be closing permanently because operating was no longer viable," said Glasscock today.
"As an owner of a live music venue, we have no future in NSW without JobKeeper..."
"My venue has been the first to fall but it won’t be the last. Live music is the lifeblood of our industry and integral to our cultural identity. The deafening silence of inaction in NSW will result in a reckoning as venues are closed, jobs are lost and our economic contribution to the city and state evaporates.
"The next generation of local Grammy winners, film score writers, chart toppers and global exports will emerge from states such as Victoria and South Australia, which have delivered packages to ensure their venues remain viable..."
Venue 505 has held spaces in both Surry Hills and Newtown during its run. An official close date is yet to be announced for the award-winning venue, stay tuned for more details as they emerge.
