Historic West Midlands Venue Under Threat

JBs in Dudley is in danger of closing down unless buyers can be found

West Midlands live music landmark, JBs in Dudley, is under serious threat of closure.

The venue is being crippled by rising debt and its owners need to sell the venue if it is to survive. Administrators took over the venue earlier in September and the owners need to sell the venue by the end of the year or it will close.

The Express & Star reports that the club has built up debts of £450,000, with £80,000 owed to suppliers and half owed as mortgage payments.

U2, Judas Priest, Blur, Manic Street Preachers, Elvis Costello, Skunk Anansie and The Stone Roses have all played gigs at the venue and it remains one of the early career pitstops for young bands in the West Midlands.

Sam and Sue Jukes told the Express & Star "The recession has hit us, and the terrible weather in January didn’t help.”

If you want to find out more about how to help the JBs cause, head to their official website at www.jbsdudley.co.uk

(Express & Star)