Local music fans arriving at the venue over the last few days for gigs by Thee Unstrung, St Thomas & Stephen Fretwell discovered the pub closed. This sparked rumors the landlord had left unexpectedly or that the brewery had called time on the venue. It was feared that the Portland had gone the way of the Boat Race which was closed in January amidst a storm of local protest.
However, a local promoter has informed DiS that he received confirmation via email from the new licensee, confirming the Portland would remain open, and would continue to host live music for the foreseeable future.
News that the Portland Arms is to stay open must be something of a relief for the local music scene, and along with the re-opening of The Junction and the Anglia Polytechnic University Student Union, shows that the Cambridge music scene is back in business.
Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing
but thee unstrung, eeek
Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing
Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing
Still, good(ish) news. Cheers.
Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing
The IPA ran out as well, which always an omen of doom in Cambridge.
Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing
Let's hope not indeed.
Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing
A new landlord has appeared and contacted promoters.
However, the current landlord, Dave, holds the tenancy until at least the end of the month. Gigs will be cancelled until the new landlord takes over.
Hence, our DJ /Rupture, Ove-Naxx and Ascoltare gig on the 15th will not be going ahead at the Portland. Stay tuned to www.bad-timing.co.uk for further info on that gig.
As for Sunday, as far as anyone knew on Sunday night, that really was it -- no new landlord had been confirmed and therefore Greene King could have scrapped music there altogether. Hence what St. Thomas and others were saying.
Happily this appears not to be the case -- the new landlord wants to honour existing bookings, so with any luck, if he and his partner have the tenancy by the start of December, existing December bookings will be unaffected.
Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing
Re: Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing
sigh. portsy was so cosy til they gave it a quick lick of paint t'other year.
Re: Cambridge venue Portland Arms NOT closing