Has nobody noticed The Assembly Rooms have opened? I've got my tickets for the Blockheads this December already

I rate Leamington very highly compared to Stratford. It has a lot more independent retail where Stratford has literally nothing but chain stores - and only builds new stores that chains can afford. It also has far more interesting night life, nights out in Stratford are increasingly soulless and the bar all mimic each other's bland taste in decor and music.

Why don't you all look on http://www.leamingtonassembly.com a multi million pound development for Leamington to try and attract big bands/artists and local bands to grow within Leamington. To be honest I wouldn't bother with the paper if the courier is anything to go by it is turning into a rag and highlights ALL the bad points about the town and NONE of the good points which trust me Leamington still has a lot of. Trust me take a trip to some other towns nearby such as nuneaton, bedworth, rugby etc and they have no heart, no soul, no grandeour! We are lucky to live in a town that is still award winning on a lot of levels!

now I remember "hintons" and the little pub down the side street near the Shakespeare ,big"Bob Grant" the flying dogs ,Dick Smith all Leamington Greats .Leamington the last time I was there I did not even have enough time for a pint(flying visit to my mum and a long drive home)

Isnt There Some Talk About Turning the Old Bingo Hall, Next Door to Evolve NightClub Into a Live Music Venue??........

That's true I guess

I don't think for an initial story you need to do all this research. The main story is just that there is a lack of venues for bands to play in, the journalist involved would take it from there.

The first thing to do is make people aware of the problem, then start thinking about solutions.

It could, but needs research to make it plausible

Could a moan not be restructured so the wording implies a positive idea?

Agreed. Get loads of together, research possible sites, and possible investors, then go to them. Will take some time

Before going to the papers with such an idea it should be well researched with fresh ideas to offer, otherwise you just look like someone having a moan.

You have to say they're helpful Jimmy, you work for them

Agree with your point on an investor being needed.

Will - maybe we should. What you reckon Jimmy?

You guys should contact your local paper, I imagine this would make a good story.

The council are more helpful than you'd think actually. After all, they gave the Great Western in Warwick an environmental health clearance to run GWFest, an outdoor 8 hour festival!

But as for an actual indoor venue.....would need a very rich private investor and a very good management team.

I've been Jimmy's friend for over 6 years now and he makes really good points here. In my honest opinion, the council will not be very helpful. Good idea, but I think the grey suits at the council will have other ideas on how to spend our well earned cash. Leamington and Warwick is teaming full of very talented musicians. Jimmy and I used to run an acoustic night at Kelly's that was pretty popular for a while, then just died all of a sudden. Previously to that I run an acoustic night at the Green Man on Eagle Street at the bottom of town and that place was packed to the rafters every week. Leamington is in desperate need of decent venue. Somewhere in between Kelly's a few years ago and the Spa Centre. A 7 days a week live music venue

Hi Jimmy, welcome to the boards.

You know it's occurred to me, that there are a lot of musicians out there, and they probably all feel the same way. This is probably highly optimistic, but have you considered banding together and going to the council to see what they can do to help? I don't know exactly what they might be able to do, but you never know.