Roadmender (nightclub)

The Roadmender, Northampton Roadmender or Roadmender Centre is a nightclub and former county council funded arts centre situated in Ladies Lane, Northampton. Set in a former school building, the venue has left an indelible print on generations of the town's teenagers as the only major live venue in the town and the only indie club remaining in regular operation after the closure of Bass Clef in 1999 and the Irish Centre in 1997.

History

The Roadmender was the preeminent music / arts centre in Northamptonshire from the early nineteen eighties to the late nineteen nineties. The largest venue for touring bands between London and Birmingham, The Roadmender was an essential stop for the likes of Radiohead, Metallica, Oasis and The Manic Street Preachers until the refurbishment in 1999/2000 reduced the capacity of its main hall from 1000 to around 500.

A county council run venue with a remit for arts, dance, live and recorded music; The Roadmender has had a troubled financial history facing closure and bankruptcy several times during a long and complicated history.

Its most recent closure occurred in late 2005 when it lost several hundred thousand pounds of council funding which forced its then owners Roadmender Ltd into liquidation. After several failed rescue attempts the brand and building were sold to Purplehaus, the owners of a nearby nightclub The Soundhaus, who rebranded it New Roadmender. Notable performances since its reopening have included Idlewild, The Maccabees, Kate Nash, We Are Scientists, Deftones, Happy Mondays and the NME tour.

External links

[http://www.newroadmender.com New Roadmender website]