Bradford bands are reeling after the shock news that West Yorkshire's best-known music venue is closing in the spring.

The Duchess of York in Vicar Lane, Leeds, has hosted gigs by some of the UK's biggest names as well as countless up-and-coming acts from Bradford.

But promoter John Keenan has announced the pub will shut as a concert venue on March 25 next year.

Groups who have played there since it started putting on concerts in 1986 include Nirvana, Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, Pulp, Manic Street Preachers, The Verve, Catatonia and Primal Scream.

Tom Hardaker, lead guitarist and keyboard player with Bradford band Seven Hours, who played at the Duchess several times, said: "It's a real shame. It's one of the small venues that are ideal for unsigned bands to play. We always had good gigs there."

Innis Stiles, singer with Bradford band Nursery, said: "I can't believe it. We've played there two or three times. It's one of the most famous places around. Steve Lamacq from Radio One is always going on about it.

"They've all played there, from Nirvana to Status Quo last year. It's a nail in the coffin of the music scene. There's nowhere that does the same as the Duchess."

And Patrick Sherry, of Bradford-based Irish folk outfit Scarlet Heights, said: "It's very sad news because it's another thing against live music. There aren't that many dedicated venues around where young bands can play, especially ones who play all their own material rather than covers.

"It leaves a very big gap that somebody has got to fill."

Mr Keenan said: "It's not the end of the world but I think the Duchess did its job as a stepping stone for many developing acts. Let's hope it can be replaced pretty soon."

The Intrepreneur group, which owns the Duchess, has sold it to a developer and it is expected the building will be turned into shops.

Mr Keenan said: "Tim Hornsby and Michelle Hodgen of the Fibbers Group, the leaseholders of the Duchess, have negotiated the next three months not just to wind down the business but to give the Duchess a jolly good send-off.

"I'm asking agents and bands of note to contact me if they think they could provide a gig that would do the business during the last days of the Duchess and help raise some capital to tide me over until I can find a new venue to promote on the same level."

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