AMG has today announced the conclusion of negotiations on the two brand new sites in Leeds and Sheffield.
The Leeds venue is the site of the former Town and Country Club and AMG plans to restore the Grade I listed building to its former glory as one of the City's most historic music venues.
At the same time, AMG has also completed the leasehold acquisition of the former Roxy nightclub on Arundel Gate in Sheffield. A large, purpose built entertainment venue, the Roxy has had various incarnations from the Top Rank Suite in the 1970s and 1980s, famed for gigs from The Police and The Jam, David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust Tour in 1972, to The Clash, Killing Joke and Elvis Costello.
To complete the triple offering, AMG is making "excellent progress" on its most ambitious project to date, the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Hippodrome in Brighton, following consultation with leading conservation specialists and heritage organizations.
Commenting on the new acquisitions, chief executive officer, John Northcote says: "It's an exciting time for Academy Music Group and it's great to keep that momentum going with three new projects, especially taking on iconic venues, well loved in their respective cities for their musical heritage. Sheffield, Leeds and Brighton are major locations for live music and all will have secondary rooms to continue AMG's strategy for allowing new and emerging acts to play in quality venues."
Adding to this, Bob Angus, Metropolis Music says: "The Academy brand is synonymous with live music and one that people trust and respect for putting on high quality live music and club events and delivering a good experience for music fans. As a promoter and shareholder in AMG alongside SJM Concerts and Live Nation, we are committed to the continued success of the Group, developing and rolling out more venues in key locations for our artists to play and it's both challenging and rewarding to have three major locations to look forward to in 2008."
(Jim Evans)
