A music venue in Bracknell has had to permanently close down after a decade as the space it occupied in the town centre is due to be demolished.
The Couch, previously known as The Acoustic Couch, has functioned out of the car park building in the High Street since 2015.
The space provided a live music venue for bands, a recording studio and a rehearsal room.
However, the days of the venue have been numbered since October 2023, as Bracknell Forest Council, the owner of the car park, closed it down due to structural problems, including crumbling concrete and corrosion.
The Couch celebrated its last night with live music from The Ogretones, a Shrek-inspired tribute band, with support from Myopia and 4Foxsake on Saturday, August 23.
The closure comes as the High Street car park is set to be demolished in a decision made by the council’s Labour cabinet in March this year.
The council has been unable to find alternative premises for The Couch.
Sarah Varley, the council’s assistant director for property, said: “Due to concerns about the structural safety of High Street car park, the council stopped vehicles from parking there back in 2023.
“Independent engineers also advised that due to potential future failure of the structure, the council should work on ensuring the whole building is vacant.
“While we appreciate that this was unwelcome news for tenants, our priority must be for people’s health, safety and wellbeing. We’ve been in regular contact with tenants, including the Acoustic Couch, about the situation and have offered various help and support.
“This support has included trying to help the Acoustic Couch find a new home in the borough. Unfortunately, a suitable alternative site with the necessary space could not be found and, while it is disappointing that the Acoustic Couch had to close, there was no further support we could offer.”
According to property website Zoopla, there are only three commercial retail property units currently for let in Bracknell.
The Couch would likely require licensing permission for live music at any new venue it occupies.
The High Street car park is due to be demolished and replaced with £2.2 million redevelopment that is at an embryonic planning stage.
Sarah Varley added: “The High Street car park site is a key part of the next stage of Bracknell town centre’s overall regeneration.
“The redevelopment of the site may provide community space that can be used as a music or arts venue in the future.
“Additionally, the council is aware that a new music venue is due to open in The Lexicon later this year.”
Musica bar won permission to host live music from the council in June, and is due to occupy the former TGI Fridays restaurant in Eagle Lane.
