Features
DHP Family UK Closes The Borderline In London, May Relocate In Future
– The Borderline in Soho, London
The Slow Readers Club live on stage
After two years of operating the 300-capacity Borderline in London, DHP Family has taken the decision to close the historic venue, which first opened its doors in 1988.
The decision was sparked by “ever increasing rents, rising business rates and ongoing redevelopment plans for Soho,” the London district where the venue is located, according to the announcement by DHP Family.
Staff at the venue have been informed that the venue will be closed by Aug. 31.
DHP Family announced significant investments into the venue in 2016, when it took over the keys from previous operator Mama Group. The Borderline officially reopened in March 2017, complete with a new bar and upgraded backstage facilities for bands.
A quick browse of Pollstar‘s gig listings shows how busy the venue has been, and not just since DHP Family took over. Promoters loved the venue, because of its tradition-rich name as well as its size, which was ideal for breaking new acts.
Pollstar‘s box office reports show average ticket sales of 225. Some of the artists that recently sold out the 300-capacity space include Pinegrove in April, which grossed $6,251, or, last year, James Hunter Six ($7,266), Windhand ($6,026) and Ryan McMullan ($3,097), all promoted by Kilimanjaro Live.
The venue’s iconic status also attracted established artists. Over the past two years, the list included Mark Ronson& Miley Cyrus, The Twang, The Rifles, Octavian, Giggs, Gang of Four, Bananarama, Annie Mac, Andrew Weatherall, Jamie XX, Rina Sawayama, Ras Kwame, Katie Melua, Soft Machine, Enter Shikari and others.
– The Borderline
A Soho institution for the past 30 years is closing its doors
While the closure of the Borderline is bad news for the DHP Family’s London portfolio, another DHP venue in the English capital, The Garage in Islington, has just won protection from the council’s local plan following a campaign to safeguard its future.
DHP Family will continue to invest in other areas of its venue portfolio. It recently announced the £1 million refurbishment of the Thekla in Bristol. What is more, the iconic Rock City in Nottingham is turning 40 years old next year, which will come with some major celebrations.
DHP Family founder George Akins recently told Pollstar that work is underway to open the first venue in Birmingham.
What is more, DHP retained the name The Borderline, and the company announced it would be looking into opportunities to relocate the venue to keep its spirit alive.
Said Akins: “This has been a difficult decision, but given intentions by the landlord to increase the rent significantly for a second time since we took it over in 2016 as well as plans to redevelop the building housing the Borderline, we now know the venue doesn’t have a long term future so it makes no sense for us to continue to invest.
“We’ve had an amazing two years at Borderline with some fantastic shows and want to thank everyone for their support from agents, promoters and artists to all the thousands who have come to the gigs and club nights. We’ve put our all into trying to revive this iconic venue but unfortunately, it has been impossible to turn into a sustainable operation due to so many external factors. This is a sad day for all of us who love live music and believe in grassroots venues.”