If the council are going to re-use this money which is taken from the roadmender for the younger people of nothampton, then why close reoadmender?it is already a good place for the younger people, like myself to goto and would be a waste if it was closed. roadmender is not only there for the Fri-ups for the younger people, but is also a place in which Bands are discovered, people are bought together, art exhibitions and much much more. Closing roadmender would be a huge mistake as the younger people that go there will have nowhere to go, and may end up 'on the streets' in the late hours of the week-days or week-ends. I personally know a women who used to work there, and from her past experience roadmender has been a great place to goto, even for those who dont particularly like 'rock' music or crowded places. Roadender has been around for a number of years and would be a complete waste if it was sold off to be a block of flats or just left as nothing. Roadmender recently held an event to raise money for Africa, in which many people went to! if roadmender was to close where would the bands play? how would northampton raise money for these important reasons?
Look at all the bands that have played at Roadmender, A long time ago coldplay once played there, Rooster recently played there this year, and i know for a fact that it was brilliant. if roadmender goes then where are the teenagers and sometimes the older people going to go to see these amazing bands? there is nowhere else for us to Go!!
At the moment i am Doing a petition around my school, i may be a young-teenager' but i want my voice and every other teenagers voice to be heard! We are the ones that will be affected! and sometimes i dont think the council realise how hard it is for us to find a nice play to go and 'chill'!
Roadmender is one place that Youths can meet and enjoy bands, music etc. Not all drink alchohol and perhaps if there is a problem within this area, then I am sure that the people responsible would action appropriately. All Youths should not be tarred with the same brush
NBC should be ashamed. The Roadmender is the one of the only arts venues in Northampton. The council seem to be quite happy to grant planning applications for various brain-dead, money-spinning bars which contribute nothing to the community- but can't put it's hand in its pocket to support something that promotes culture and the arts in the Midlands and actually gives something back. I think it says a lot about the NBC's attitude to Northampton in general-what a disgrace.
I don't live in the midlands any more, but used to visit the roadmender regularly. Its incredibly valuable and should stay open. I'm shocked this is even an issue!
The loss of the Roadmender would make Northampton significantly poorer culturally. Is this a price worth paying for a saving of £58k? Still, on the bright side, there might be slightly posher sandwiches at council meetings.
Surely a solution can be found. This is not only beneficial for Northampton's local community, but the the area as a whole. Surely £60k can be found from somewhere, especially as there has been so much money spent improvement the facilities...unless this is going to be another Council funded short-term 'investment'. Get as much publicity as possible! Cry from the roof tops!
Typical of the boring old farts that run our town, sitting on their asses all day - and then moaning about the young itimidating and vandalising the town. What did they do in their days as teenagers? I have been going to roadmender since the 60's so am no youngster myself but this but town needs the Roadmender we have Departure/Last Stop Chinatown what about other young Northampton bands where are they going to be heard and seen.
I went to my first ever gig at the Roadmender in 1986. Since then I've attended dozens of gigs and have played several times with various bands. If we lose the Roadmender it will be a crying shame. Thousands of young people use the venue who might otherwise be loitering on the street with nothing to do. You can't put a price on music. Anyway, £60k is nothing - how much did the new Council offices cost???
As a Director of the Madcap in Milton Keynes, I am outraged that Northampton can't see the benefit that the Roadmendrs has, not only to Northampton but to all the surrounding area. It will be a sad loss to us all. Over the years i have also petitioned Milton Keynes Council to continue funding us, so far they have.
Is Northants County Council not aware what a jewel they have in the Roadmender, and what pleasure it gives to so many with its events? I am a Roadmender veteran of 25 years
Roadmender is a great place for us to go. It may just end with more trouble on the streets if we have no where to go. Also, its one of the only venues in town, and we hardly ever get bands play here anyway!
The council needs to invest in culture, music and all the arts, aswell as roads and public services, thats all part of developing vibrant communities. The Roadmender is nationally renown and should be celebrated as part of what makes Northampton different.
This is one of the few (if not only) places in the area that people like me and with similar interests can go. If you're going to pull the funding are you going to replace it with something bigger and better? I think not!
I've been going to the Roadmender for ages both as a performer and as a punter. Pulling the funding will be a monumental mistake on the council's part, especially if it is as serious about the arts in our area as it says it is.
The Roadmender is the best live music venue withing about 50 miles of Northampton, i saw great bands like Coldplay and Ian Brown when i was at Uni there.
for a town of its size northampton has little enough going for it the county councill shoukd think long and hard before removing an important social venue's funding.
Pulling the funds will destroy one of the only decent venues for music in the area (and surrounding - we don't have anything like it in Milton Keynes)...
Save the Roadmender!
if you close roadmender i will have to find alternative entertainment in hanging around street corners in a hooded top intimidating people. you have been warned!
I promoted a gig by Jocelyn Pook at the Roadmender who is now, thanks to opportunities, presented by venues like the Roadmender a leading recording artist and film-music composer.If venues like this a cut out from cultural life, our artist's careers can not prgoress.
Has long been a favorite venue for bands wanting to showcase new material in a low key venue. Manic Street Preachers, Radiohead, Belinda Carlisle, Thomas Dolby. The list is endless
I have never been to the roadmender but know what its like to live in a town with very little live music. You have to keep it at grass roots and to remove every aspect of live music from a town will just remove any attractiveness of people to live there!
i am signing this petition for two reasons, firstly, not too long ago i used to be a regular to the fri up (with 5 or 6 local bands) along with some more well known gigs ie INME, Rooster etc.i loved the nights as it was busy and full of people who were there to appreciate the music. secondly, i went to the fri up on Fri 4th Nov, a friend of mines band were playing (Patchwork Grace). to my shock i had to pay double to amount to get in as i used to with half the amount of bands, there was no alcohol to have a social drink with a friend and a very rude staff member took my camera off of me (i am currently studying photography at alevel and am doing a project of bands) although there were no visible signs to say they were not permitted, and also to be knocked, ran into by a whole load of little kids. so here comes the friendly advise, make it more like the old days, more local bands for less in order to attract more people, possibly an older night to escape from the kids running around and if no cameras are allowed then state it. the roadmender is a brilliant venue with loads of potential and should definately not be closed down! where else would we go to see local bands and not so well known signed bands. Keep the Roadmender open!
Roadmender is one of the biggest assets to Northamptonshire for the younger generation. This is yet another example of the county council not being in touch with their local community. SUPPORT ROADMENDER!
Roadmender is essential to the cultural vibrancy of the East Midlands & the UK's music future never mind Northampton. For god sake write off its debts and let it move forward with solid management
Roadmender is the one place you can go to in Northampton for a great night out without any of the trouble you get in the town centre the reason?- because everyone is there for the same thing, to listen to great bands and to dance the night away please don't deprive us of this fantastic club
This diverse venue is the place to see decent bands in the whole of Northampton. It also offers older and younger people somewhere to go for a night out please don't withdraw funding.
The important role that the Roadmender venue plays in the life of the county as whole cannot be understated. It is vital that the future of this venue is secured for the benefit of those who wish to enjoy a diverse mix of live music and entertainment at a truly local venue. It is unique in that provides oportunities for both aspiring and established artists to play to live audiences in an excellent environment. My experiences of the venue are that it is professionally managed and has excellent technical facilities. I have seen a number of great shows there and my son played one of his first significant gigs there with his band when they were looking for gigs around the county. It provided them with a fantastic opportunity and one that none of us will ever forget.
This is a great venue: I have appreciated it over many years and now my daughter has just started to use it. What a shame if she could not get the same enjoyment from seeing live music in Northampton in the future as I have done in the past.
If the plug is pulled on the Roadmender it will be yet another case of money and potential down the drain by this councils inane policies on Art. They give with one hand and take away with the other! How much louder does Northampton Arts need to scream to be listened to! All this council cares about is business or property development to sate Government quotas, not Arts Culture or the people that try to have a life here! I wonder what they will do with the place? Pull it down and build more flats of course!!
Great live music venue - would be a major loss to the town of Northampton which already has little to be proud of. I have enjoyed many bands here and would be happier seeing my kids go there on a Friday or Saturday than see them hanging round the bars of Bridge Street trying to avoid getting beaten up or vomited on.
this is one of very few decent venues in the town: it has a great history and reputation. It would be such a shame for it to close due to lack of funding!
The Roadmender is a focal point for new music. Not to forget it caters for all walks of life. Why cut it? Why stop this well needed boost of Culture for Northampton, have you seen the state of the soundhause?
Councillers you must be immensly obtuse and pompus to do this. Just look at this petition, look at how many people use this space.
It's actually discusting that people of power can abuse it in such a way.
Many big name UK and European bands have played Roadmender in their formative years. Without venues like this, many of these bands would not have had the breaks they've had. British music NEEDS venues like this. Close the Roadmender & it will show how little NBC listens to and understands the opinions of its population.
My roster bands have been playing at the Roadmender for years now and in that time (particularly recently) the Roadmender has become one of those venues that has acheived national recognition like Rock City or the Cavern. I was at the venue just last week and found the organisation better than ever. Most towns/cities would boast about a venue like the Roadmender! the future should not be in doubt.
Roadmender has a fantastic atmosphere and is a safe place to be with marvellous security. It's great place for youngsters to go on a friday night and people in general to enjoy!
Many a good night I've had here, I've seen some great local bands and i'd be really upset to see it go. Northampton doesn't have much in the way of venues so let it keep it's biggest!
