10 years after opening, this iconic Leeds club will be closing due to ‘unassailable costs’

After a shocking announcement on their Instagram, The Old Red Bus Station (ORBS) has announced its closure after ten years in operation, due to “unassailable costs”.

The bus station-turned-event space for electronic music is “devastated” to be officially shutting its doors as of 18^th January 2025.

On its Instagram page, the venue highlighted that many small grassroots venues have faced similar battles against the cost of living crisis, uncompromising landlords and the local council and government.

“Coupled with no option to secure a long term lease, it is simply unfeasible to continue operating,” it explained.

The Old Red Bus Station told The Leeds Tab: “We are obviously very sad to be closing our doors for one last time, not just personally, but also for the broader state of Leeds’ nightlife scene and industry.”

Since its opening, Old Red has consistently served as a vital platform for grassroots artists in Leeds.

“We have offered hundreds– if not thousands– of local DJs their first club sets, and have consistently platformed the generation of promoters and DJs through our longstanding grassroots promoter residencies and artist development programme.”

In a statement on Instagram, the venue highlighted how it’s been one of the only venues in Leeds to do so.

ORBS now calls for the preservation of “one of the only things this country has to be proud of- its culture”.

It said: “The local music ecosystem is in crisis, with fewer independent venues than ever, and these are such vital spaces for the cultivation of a healthy scene.

They stress that without intervention, large-scale, corporate event spaces will be the only venues left.

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Old Red grieves for the loss of “a little community in the centre for artists, musicians, DJs, MCs and performers from these underground genres to call home, and a place for people from all walks of life to gather, relax and let loose.”

ORBS has urged Leeds City Council to take action, telling The Leeds Tab: “As it stands the local council have no interest in preserving or cultivating culture, especially in grassroots spaces.

“Any concerns we have raised with Leeds City Council have fallen on deaf ears.”

In response to this a spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We were made aware of the closure of the Old Red Bus Station this weekend and would like to thank them for the contribution they have made to the Leeds cultural scene over the years.”

They explained they have provided Old Red with rates relief discount as part of the Government’s Retail Hospitality and Leisure Relief scheme in the past.

“We recognise the important contribution that grassroots music venues – and the creative sector as a whole – make to the vibrancy and economic wellbeing of our city, and that cultural events and attractions play a vital role in bringing people to Leeds.

“We would encourage businesses that are struggling to continue to work with us so we can explore how we can help.”

TESTBED, a fellow event space in Leeds, shared its feelings on The Old Red Bus Station’s closure.

“This is devastating news,” a spokesperson told The Leeds Tab.

“What a loss for Leeds! We know how horrible it feels from us losing Sheaf Street and we feel for you.”

James Abbott-Donnelly, Nighttime Industries Association (NTIA) Ambassador for Leeds, also spoke out on behalf of Leeds Nighttime Economy Group (LNEG), a collaborative network formed to advocate for and support Leeds’ night-time economy.

He will remember ORBS as a “beloved hub with huge contribution to the city’s arts, music, and creative communities, this has been overlooked, misunderstood, and under valued.

“[It] worked hard with activists to address social issues, often hosting events to raise funds or awareness for important causes.

“We are losing culture, simple. And Leeds is losing it faster than others!”

LNEG plan to host a launch event at TESTBED in March and will post further details on its Instagram page in due course.

The Old Red Bus Station thanks students who have passed through its doors over the years and urges them to support their local independent venues.

They told The Leeds Tab, “buy tickets in advance; take a chance on a DJ you haven’t heard of; if you can, buy a drink or two at the bar; get down early and see the support, not just the headliner.”

The Old Red Bus Station’s full Instagram statement and more information about final events before closure can be found here.

Featured image via Instagram