The roadmender is such an important venue and is well respected in the UK as a whole. The current management needs to be given time to pull the place out of its current crisis. By all means, make it clear that things need to be demonstrably improved, but it is such a valuable resource for young people that it would be criminal to let it go.
This is one of the best things about Northampton, as a non local I travel to the roadmender of a frequent basis due to the quality bands that play there...this venue should be supported!
There is little enough for the younger generation to do either in the town or surrounding villages - yes the Roadmender isn't just for Northamtpon but for Northamptonshire! It gives local bands somewhere to show off their skills and learn what it is like to perform in front of a live audience. Keep this venue open, keep music live and remember bands don't just start out on Top of the Pops or whatever, they start at places like The Roadmender.
Local Authorities and Councils all over the UK need to realise that they have to help support Venues and Festivals of all shape and forms. Culture is not just opera and ballet!! Having an established live music scene in a City is not only an attraction to tourists and visitors but also a necessity to providing locals of all ages somewhere to watch live music. This has a knock on affect with other business such as restaurants, hotels, bars and shops all experiencing an increase in local trade.
I have visited the roadmender for various events, comedy and music. I have also noticed many under 18's nights arranged there that give the youth in the town somewhere they can go. This venue is an example for the rest of northampton that has become a town with nothing of any interest except bars / pubs
keep rm open it keeps my teens happy they dont annoy me know or get into trouble you close it at your own risk youve been warned wot aint broke dont fix!
I've been to loads of really good gigs and events at the Roadmender.
Places like this are vital for up and coming bands and artists as it gives them a platform, taking this away will be blow to the creative side of Northampton. Its always the 'alternative' places that are closed down becasue they don't appeal to the mindless majority - the ones who cause trouble/damage property and are involved in violence which costs the council more money...
The Roadmender was the first club I ever went to and it was wicked. The place was dark, dingy and sweat dripped from the ceiling...perfect! That was of course before the renovation.It's a northampton institution. Don't close it the kids'll be angry!
Northampton needs more cultural venues, not fewer, especially with the planned housing and population increases. Is the Council's wider policy to make Northampton the ASBO capital of England and spend more money than is currently given in funding on tackling the increasing crime that will inevitably result as an indirect side-effect of the Roadmender's closure? It's short-sighted madness to withdraw this funding - it's essential over coming years, while Northampton is expanding so rapidly.
I have such fond memories of visiting my mate JJ there when I was visiting from Australia. Please don't cut it's funding. My friends and I had a great time when we were backpacking over there!
When I grew up in Northampton, there was no decent rock venue bigger than a pub. I left town in 1984, after which the Roadmender was reopened. I wish it had been there when I was a teenager. It's a fantastic venue. I've returned from London on a number of occasions to attend gigs. Take it away and you rip the cultural guts out of the town. Northampton's got two theatres, umpteen cinema screens, how can anyone consider shutting one of its key music venues? Does nobody think long term any more? Does nobody look at the bigger picture? I am proud to have grown up in Northampton and written about it, and all my family still live there. Take away the Roadmender and you create a big hole in the road.
Reading through this petition shows the diversity of people that are pulling together for the Roadmender . Surely that the fact that it is having such a positive effect on our lives shows why it shouldn’t be closed. As one of the original venues of Northampton, it is not just a club; it is a landmark that brings culture, comedy and live acts from across the globe to our very doorsteps. Roadmender proudly stands out from the crowd and will go from strength to strength if you give it the time it deserves to once again establish itself. Do the right thing.
Damn the man! Save the empire! (The roadmender!!!) Why close it when it is just getting back on its feet. Look to the future of roadmender not the past it already has. Make Northampton the great town is used to be before everyone tried to 'improve' it by taking away the things that make it great in the first place.
Please don't close down the Roadmender,some of the talent that has played there in the last few years is nothing short of incredible.I hope the council make the right decision and let it stay open.
As a born and bred Northamptonian, Northants county council I urge you to consider. If you have aspirations to see Northampton develop into a thriving focal point of the region you cannot allow closure to happen. The roadmender's devlopment under Jon G's guidance has seen it grow to be on the cusp of recognition as a truly national entertainment venue.
Don't close this venue down - it is one of the VERY few differentials from the bland binge drinking town centre - and keeps Northampton on the music map
The Roadmender represents what little cultural relevance Northampton has left. To close it would be yet another nail in the coffin for a town which is fast becoming a binge-drinking, no-brainer paradise.
Every town should have a place of culture, every town NEEDS a place of culture - don't take Northampton's away.
My friend also met his future wife there (hi guys) - don't throw their, our, your history... and future away!
Rock on RM!
hi
i went to the roadmender recently for the first time in years having moved back to the area. I went to alot of classic gigs there that i still remember Pulp and oasis especially.
Also went to alot of the club nights madchester etc when northampton was cack to go out.
Dont close it.. its home to memories past and future..
You've got to keep this place going! It's important to so many people. As Gary Ashworth said, there's not too much stuff in Northampton... This isn't London! Roadmender must stay!
This is a quality venue and needs to stay!!
Take some funds from the already over the top money making schemes like traffic police and saftety camera vans.
Leave people with something to do in the County!!
I worked at Roadmender for a year, and I saw how the local children responded to it. It is the closest thing Northampton has to top music venue, you just need to look at a list of the bands who have played there in the past to see why needs to stay open.
No wonder young people are causing havoc on the streets of Northampton...they're running out of anything worthwhile to do with their time thanks to the clearly highly intelligent Council's pulling the plug on anything that's seen as entertainment.
Roadmender Is a fantastic place that attracts some very decent acts, it's would be a tragedy to see it shut down.
Save Roadmender
i definately agree the roadmender should stay open i'd do anything to raise money and support it...but they need to sort themselves out so they can actually make money and support themselves otherwise 6 months and the same issues...
Im a student and coming from another city i can tell you Northampton needs Roadmender. Northampton already lacks decent venues you need to keep it going!!!
you could have gangs of moshers challenging the already dangerous gangs of grannies patroling the streets, closing it could result in a civil war, the likes of which has never been seen before
With the way that Northampton town has changed in the last 4 years, and not for the better!!, why let something as good as the Roadmender be forgotten and have its funding removed. its one of the only places left in this town thats safe, fun and an enjoyable venue. SAVE THE ROADMENDER - WHAT ELSE IS THERE - NOTHING...!!!
dont close down roadmender it is the only decent venue here that attracts bigish bands, and also think of the income being lost from people travelling to see certain bands and you are goin to lose it to bigger places
Many great bands have performed at the roadmender which have been fantastic to go and see, It's a shame that the council have decided to be STINGEY and withdraw the funds, they're forgetting all the good things that have happend at the roadmender and remembering all the bad.
Keep it open...for the music!!
The withdrawal of funding from Roadmender would be like smothering a small child in the middle of the night - if you're going to do it, let the whole world: don't be so cowardly Mr Council, your young people need you.
First went to Roadmender in 1996, when the queue went around the corner and up Ladys Lane, and your feet stuck to the floor. I have had soooo many great times there, seen some great music and danced at excellent club nights. I can't imagine it not being there and it should not be abandoned when it needs funding most. You know it'll just be knocked down, new flats built and a part of Northampton's soul will be gone forever. Please don't let this happen.
teenagers in northampton need this place, there are no other places in northampton for teenagers who like to see live bands, and without a doubt keeping many teenagers off the streets
I played a small part in the recent Rock Aid event. Seeing the sheer enjoyment of fans cheering on their favorite bands, in such a perfect setting, was absolutely fantastic. Save our Roadmender!
Dont Stop The Road Mender It Dont Deserve Too be Shut Down, Ive Never Been There But I Know It Rocks Northampton Shitty Little " Area " 1st radlands Now Roadmender Where is There
We have greatly benfitted from the Roadmender. We played at and attended the early Fri Ups. We attended "The Voice" sessions and most recently had our own gig there. What is happening to local politicians? This is a great safe palce for the youth of the town to enjoy music and aslo for a maturer set of muci lovers tooo. A society withoiu the arts is a desolate society. Why are the county going to fiance the Derngate with the funds they intend to withdraw from the Roadmender? Does that make sense?
dont close roadmender!
im going friday n it rox!
its pointless closing such a fun safe place
i mean do u reli want us 2 b mucking aound on the streets gettin in truble?
wer sposed 2 enjoy our teens!
The venue is a signifacant regional arts facility. Arts is one of the reason we apy local taxes. This facility is an important aspect of life in the town.
