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Closure threat to 100 Club
Phil Strongman22 Sep 2010
ITS stage has seen the West End debuts of Oasis, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Buzzcocks, while Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Paul Weller can still sometimes be glimpsed in the audience.
Yet the 100 Club in Oxford Street - described by Aerosmith's Joe Perry as "the finest rock'n'roll club in the world" - could close within a few months because of soaring overheads unless it can find a buyer. Its rates bill has hit £4,000 a month and landlord Lazari Investments now charges rent, with VAT, of £166,000 a year.
The cellar club's owner, Jeff Horton, said: "It makes me so angry. The Government, Westminster council and even some of the commercial landlords say they want to help small businesses, they say they want to preserve London's uniqueness, they want to help multi-cultural venues.
"Yet we're all that and all these organisations have all dumped on us from a great height." His father started running the venue in 1964, but it opened in 1942 as a jazz club.
Mr Horton sees few alternatives to closure after Lazari raised the rent by 45 per cent. "In 1985, when I took over, the rent was barely £11,000 In the US the rents are frozen at certain venues that have a bit of heritage. Here it's a total free-for-all."
He added: "What the 100 Club needs is a buyer or major sponsor to step forward. Barring that, we're closing at Christmas despite being as popular as ever. It really is insane."
Reader views (20)
Never been to the place cos I'm from up north, but it has legendary status with me, because of reading all about the gigs in the melody maker for years. Lots of love here and a rent review is a must. This isn't a lock up garage, this is a living, breathing cultural legacy. People's lives and experiences being dismised.
Its no good stars playing there if there is still a financial shortfall, putting it out of business. As has been suggested, there must be a 100 rock and jazz stars that could put the club on a secure permenant footing.
They donate to the Hard Rock cafes why hot the 100 Club?
Don't let Joni Mitchell be right....
"You don't know what you've got till its gone"
- alan, enfield, middlesex, 17/12/2010 19:21
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I adore mr mcc why cant he buy it ? sounds like a great venue, can someone get me a ticket for tomorrow /???????????????????????
- jane mcbride, glos england, 16/12/2010 10:23
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I adore paul mcC why doesnt he buy it????????????? And please someone get me a ticket to see him
tomorrow xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
sounds like a great venue, isnt it rotten how times are changing........................
- jane mcbride, glos england, 16/12/2010 10:19
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The 100 club must be saved as it forms part of are music history.I feel that public opinion and support the club will be saved.
- John Blackmore, Zurgena, Spain., 05/12/2010 11:57
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I've been going there all my life, I love the place, I've seen loads of heroes there and was even at the 'legendary' Rolling Stones and Friends tribute concert for Stu. I'll join any appeal and what about those Rolling Stones I'm sure thay'd be in.
- John Catanach, London now Bournemouth, UK, 06/10/2010 18:24
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Come on all you musicians who love the 100 club and what it represents...hands in pockets....i can afford to put a grand in the kitty, i'm not a rich man but i want to help. I believe if we stump up enough cash between us (rich and not so rich) we might have a chance of saving the club from closure...keep positive
- Robert johnson, south london enland, 04/10/2010 08:46
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So The 100 Club is to close, well Mr Horton why don't you gather up all the rock groups, all the jazz bands & march on Westminster City Hall, & give them a good wake-up call! I first visited The 100 Club in the late 50s, i still go to the jazz sessions once a month, this venue must not close. So WCC & Lazari, PLEASE THINK AGAIN!... Give an old jazzer some pleasure. Dave Allen.
- Dave Allen, Selsdon, Surrey, 28/09/2010 00:01
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I grew up at the 100 club, I showed my scooter off there, I saw so many good groups, I loved the place.
Friday nights rush home from school, get the glad rags on, polish the lambretta lights and off to a magical 100 Club.
It's gotta be saved!! It's my generations mekka, the be all and end all 'In Place'
- Dave Quaife, Lincoln, 24/09/2010 18:54
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In many ways this place was the birth place of Punk, it is where the Bromley contingent established their punk style and where the Sex Pistols and Souixie and the Banshees played their first gigs. It is SUCH a significant part of Englands musical heritage.
- Jasmin Sara, Australia, Sydney, 24/09/2010 16:13
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Just what does the club get for the £48,000 a year rates? Not even a rubbish collection as this has to be paid on top. This is just a basement which is unlucky enough to be on Oxford Street, the only hope is for a surveyor to help them challenge the new rent which every tenant has the right to do. I met my second wife in the 100 Club and that was also a happy yet expensive project.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey, 24/09/2010 10:43
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I'm shocked too. You can cook up cash, but you can't replace culture and history. Plus this is a functioning venue. What unique, socially useful use is going to be found for the place? It's a cellar. Any club that replaces it is probably replicated many times over already throughout the capital. Joining FB group now .. Thanks to Blues in Britain mag for posting me.
- Dom Pipkin, London, 24/09/2010 02:18
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What a shame indeed - a shame on those who 'govern' London, and who have the ability to make change!
Ahh, but change is not what the 'Government' want is it? They want to see those who enjoy these lively clubs held in a state of catatonic fear, so they can continue to rule the masses! Who has the power over us to have fun? Not them....!! We'll continue to enjoy ourseles and keep our hearts 'light' whilst they continue to strive (fruitlessly) for even more 'power'. When will they realise that power is in collaboration and love for their fellow man and woman kind.......So we can ALL benefit as human beings and partners in this life!!??!! The loveless mortals that conjoin to make a world full of fear and loathing, are to be castrated for their short-term vision! They are in the minority and are not in fact 'in control' - they are out of control - which in turn generates a fighting characteristic, unpleasant to say the least!!! Having said much more than I'd planned, I would simply love someone from the house of rules to speak up and share their views - and perhaps donate their expenses allowance to this wonderful venue which creates such wondrous moments for those who really want to create fun, enjoyment and happiness in this life! THIS is what counts most. I defy anyone to deny this!!! Want more of my views? I am a freelance writer and would love to host a column for Londoners - to spread the love and joy I know can be felt - with a modicum of care and thoughtfulness! Thankyou.
- Andrea Smart, London, UK, 23/09/2010 15:19
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It will be a real shame if it goes as it is a real piece of music history. I was lucky enough to play there recently and I really hope that a way for it to continue can be found.
- Diana, London Sw11, 23/09/2010 14:48
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When the 100 club is in danger we all are. There has to be some kind of help the local councils can give, or even the landlord. Give them a break, its the toughest time for live music for many years.
NYC, No CBGBs, London, No 100 club. Please help ensure this doesnt happen
- The Joiners, Southampton, 23/09/2010 13:58
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We lost CBGB here in New York due to some bad planning and bad politics. Many people tried to save it and still, all efforts failed. Now the club is gone and we now have a John Varvatos fashionista outpost where you can buy intentionally distressed blue jeans for 800.00 dollars and used records at five times collectors prices in its place. Losing the 100 Club would be a tragedy on the same scale in many, many ways. I urge anyone who can do anything to try and save it.
- Bryan Swirsky, Brooklyn, NY, 23/09/2010 13:33
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Very sad news, indeed. Here in New York, we also suffer from the greed of such landlords.
My first experience at 100 Oxford Street was in 1953, when I dragged my very heavy tape recorder from Copenhagen, just to tape Humph and his band. I did, some of the results aired on Radio Denmark and my career in jazz was sparked.
Chris Albertson
- Chris Albertson, New York, USA, 23/09/2010 00:46
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Perhaps The Who, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and a few others could form a consortium and buy the club outright.
- John McLeod, Luton, 22/09/2010 23:06
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I attend this club on a regular basis. The rent and rates charged are pretty disgusting for a club that's fairly small.
But, as it's not about the history or care for the custom, money will always win. Money STINKS!
- Karen, Wiltshire, 22/09/2010 21:25
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first the astoria now this whats wrong with this country, thousands of people go to this club week in week out ,,this is outrageous to be charged this kind of money to keep aplace open,i hope the landlord rots,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
- les, what was england, 22/09/2010 19:59
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This can't be allowed to happen! The 100 Club is one of the most historic music venues in London.
I've started a Facebook group - Save the 100 Club! - so sign up and fight this closure.
- Nick, SE20, 22/09/2010 15:22
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