Mr. Kyps Announce final shows at their Parr Street venue
It is with huge regret that we announce the closure of one of the area’s favourite live music venues. Mr Kyps in Ashley Cross has been a staple part or the area’s live music scene for over 18 years. Mark Kyp has been a fantastic host to some of our very own Rock Regeneration events as well as many fantastic gigs over the years from major stars and tribute acts. Mark below explains the situation in full in his own words:
Mark Kyp’s Statement about the Venue’s Closure
“It was nearly 18 years ago, Mark Kyprianou “Kyp” turned his former snooker & pool centre at 8A Parr Street into the popular music venue known as “Mr Kyps” It was a bold decision at the time, and opened a world of un-certainties and risks, but in practice it became “the place” to attend live music shows, hosting acts from the local & tribute varieties, up to new and former national stars, including such names as Joe Bonamassa, Adam Ant, Pete Doherty & Gilbert O’Sullivan, to name only a few. Some 17 plus years on, through thick and thin, the venue has survived, and been true to its vision of providing high-quality live acts, and is still recognised as ìTheî local live music institution.
Over time, the early Victorian buildings have become dilapidated, and like many old buildings of similar age has run into structural and maintenance problems. As a result, the previous Landlords made the difficult decision that the buildings were to be sold for redevelopment. Many rumours have emerged since, with the word on the street “Mr Kyps will be closing”. The future of the venue has been most uncertain during this period, hence why no official statement has been given from the venue until now.
The venue was recently purchased by local developers Bayview Developments who have offered to extend the lease to Mr Kyps whilst plans are drawn up for the long-term use of the site, thus ending months of uncertainty. The Mr Kyps team met with Bill Buckler of Bayview Developments, a local man of Ashley Cross, who loves live music and attends Mr Kyps regularly, to discuss the times ahead. An Agreement was reached between parties to enable Mr Kyps to continue through to 9th June 2018. This will now be the official closing date of the music venue.
Now the arrangement is confirmed, Mr Kyps is putting together a final few months of top shows, and is frantically working towards a line-up of acts that should make the last months at 8A Parr Street absolutely stunning musically, and leave many fond memories for local live music fans. After June 9th, the name “Mr Kyps” will continue in the area and we will be looking for new premises. Until a regular new home is found we will continue to provide the live music acts you love to see at various local clubs & venues. Full details will follow shortly.”
“As followers of and visitors to Mr Kyps, we ask for your continued support. Please come and see us over the next few monthís shows, and create some terrific memories of our time here at 8A Parr Street. Bring friends with you. Join the Mr Kyps mailing list, follow us on social media such as Facebook & Instagram. Via these communications, we will keep you informed as to the shows beyond June 2018, and let you know of the local venues where we will be hosting more top quality live acts.”
“As Mark Kyprianou, I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who has attended and supported us over the past years. Regular visitors will have witnessed the joyful atmosphere created when live music is at its best, and know it is simply unbeatable. None of what has happened at the venue would have been possible without the help of very close friends, family and regular helpers. I would also like to extend this gratitude to my hard-working team, who have stuck with and supported the venue for many years, including the office & IT staff, sound & lighting crews, our bar staff and management, and our security, maintenance and cleaning teams. Many of these will be continuing to work alongside me as we move our shows to other venues, and I look forward to an exciting future, still involving these people.”
Finally, Mr Kyps would like to express its thanks to Bill Buckler of Bayview Developments, who essentially has made it possible for us to continue at Parr Street until early June. Bayview have an excellent reputation in our area for stunning new developments and sympathetic conversions of older character buildings, and we are very confident the results his company will achieve at 8A Parr Street will be stunning and compliment this already beautiful area of Ashley Cross. We wish him all the success with this project”.
The final gigs at up until the closure on June 9th
Feb 1st – The Wedding Present
Feb 2nd – Lady Winwoods Maggot
Feb 3rd – Fleetwood Bac (Tribute)
Feb 23rd – Bez (Happy Mondays) : Freaky Dancing.
Feb 24th – REM by Stipe
Mar 3rd – Colt 45
Mar 16th- Rat Race
Apr 7th – The Cuban Brothers
Apr 14th- AMY – Tribute to Amy Winehouse
Apr 17th – Ian Siegal
Apr 21st- Bad Manners & Rat Race
Apr 26th – Showhawk Duo
May 4th – Legend (Bob Marley Tribute)
May 26th – Dirty DC (Ac/Dc Tribute)
Jun 1st – Black Water County
Jun 2nd – Don’t Untie the Drummer
Jun 8th – Mungo Jerry
Jun 9th – Final Show TBC
Purchase your tickets here.
Find out the Latest information here.
