A music venue in Darwen has closed its doors after battling falling profits, the cost of living crisis, flooding and other issues.

Sunbird Records, in The Circus, Darwen, has now closed after seven years in operation and the venue is now in the process of being stripped out.

Business owner Steven Lindley said the venue is currently closed but said he is in talks with companies interested in taking over and reopening the business. 

General manager Ramsay Lohan said the team are sad to leave but did not want to go into debt trying to keep the business afloat.

Lancashire Telegraph: Ramsay Lohan Ramsay Lohan (Image: Ramsay Lohan)

He said: “I am sad but this is the best time to leave before we go into debt trying to keep the place going, even though we've had one of the most profitable years we've ever had.

“Luckily we had a great Christmas so we cleared a lot of the bills we accumulated from October, November and early December.”

Ramsay said numerous reasons have led to the venue’s closure, including the cost of living crisis.

Ramsay, from Darwen, said: “While we had the best Halloween and Christmas we’ve ever had at the venue, with record profits and attendance, the time in between wasn't as good.

“We noticed the lack of support for live music was waning leading to reduced profits.

“Our dance nights even started to drop in attendance, eventually even DJs and bands were cancelling gigs for a myriad of reasons, including the resurgence of Covid and train strikes, which impacted us greatly.”

The 31-year-old said the cost of living crisis also had a massive impact on the venue.

He said: “The whole of Darwen’s nightlife has felt the impact of the cost of living crisis.

“Blackburn with Darwen’s music scene seems to have dwindled.

Lancashire Telegraph: Inside Sunbird Records, on The Circus in DarwenInside Sunbird Records, on The Circus in Darwen (Image: Sunbird Records)

“Two or three years ago bands were desperate for bookings and now they all seem to have given up and there’s been no up and comers to replace them.”

The venue was forced to close temporarily in January after suffering flooding and Ramsay said this incident also impacted his decision to close.

He said: “The flooding was getting so bad throughout the year we’ve had to rip out the recording studios greatly reducing the ability to create and support local artists.

“More recently the entire beer cellar was flooding uncontrollably."

Ramsay said 2022 was one of the hardest years he has had, after friend and former owner of the venue, Jonathan Lindley, died.

He said: “The last year has probably been the hardest year of my life. It started with with losing my best friend and led to more hardships.

“I took on way more than I could manage, losing all grip on my mental health and having to learn how to run an entire business with very little guidance.

“There are a lot of people who did help me and I can’t thank them enough. From the current Sunbird crew, Jonathan’s parents and the many others.

“I’m currently doing the right thing and trying to sort my mental health out and take the correct steps to make sure I don't get that low again.

“I’m also going to start doing a bunch of filming for the music YouTube channel, Firecrest, where I film live performances outside in forests, basements and more. I just want to carry on supporting live music the best way I can for now.”

Ramsay says the news isn’t all bad and he hopes to open a new and improved venue in the near future.

He said: “We’re not over yet, we’ll be doing things online and we will eventually get a new and better venue.

“It might still be Sunbird or it might have a new name but no matter what, a part of what Jonny created and everyone’s hard work from over the years and more will go with us no matter what we do.

“When we do reopen we will be using the knowledge we’ve gained from over the years to start things again but properly, with some cutting edge ideas and full freedom to do them, cheaper running costs, smaller capacity, a proper stage, and a great sound system."

Sunbird Records Venue was opened in Summer 2016 by Jonathan Lindley and a couple of friends. Ramsay came to the venue in 2018 and took over as general manager last year, after Jonathan died.

Ramsay said the aim of the venue was to provide,under one roof, a performance space, recording studio and record label all under one roof.

Ramsay said he’s had many happy memories over the years.

He said: ”We’ve had a loads of really amazing gigs.

“The staff, crew and I have been through thick and thin I wouldn't trade the moments with them for anything in the world.

“Thank you to everyone who came to the venue, everyone in every mosh pit, on the sweaty dance floor, bouncing outside in the terrace and even the people who just felt sad or alone and knew they could come and talk to us.”

Darwen councillor, David Smith, said: "It’ s very sad that Sunbird Records has closed. It provided a unique venue for bands and entertainment, - especially encouraging new and young local talent. It will be greatly missed."

Steven said:“We are hoping to secure new owners who can reopen the business' doors.

“There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon because there are people interested in taking on the venue, so it isn’t all doom and gloom.”