Legendary Chasers nightclub in Kingswood announces closure after 50 years
A legendary nightclub in the outskirts of Bristol has announced it is closing "for good". Suffering after two years of covid lockdowns, Chasers in Kingswood shut down in January 2022 before reopening in March that same year.
However, the owners of the venue in South Gloucestershire have now shared the news "to end what you all know as Chasers nightclub for good". The nightclub has been open for nearly five decades, being run by four generations of the same family.
Making the announcement on Facebook this evening (October 17), the owners blamed the closure on a lack of footfall. The statement in full reads: "Chasers nightclub has been a constant in Kingswood since its conception in 1977 to its construction in 1980.
READ MORE:
"A purpose built venue designed to serve the people of Kingswood and the surrounding areas. After close to five decades and four generations of the same family stepping foot inside the building, the decision has been made to end what you all know as Chasers nightclub for good.
"We plan to make our famous Chasemas eve our final night of operating. We will remain shut for most of November and reopen for only the Saturdays in the month of December.
"Our reason to close is quite simple, Kingswood just does not have enough foot traffic that would pay to operate such a large property. In decades past hundreds of people were out beyond 10pm, today the high street may have only 60-100 people to share amongst every venue.
"Life is becoming expensive and hospitality has taken a huge impact because of that. Pubs and Clubs shut everyday and the industry is a fraction of what it once was.
"When returning in 2022 to take back the property we loved so much, we fixed nearly every complaint we heard in feedback of how the venue was left to degrade after the family retired, we hoped there might be improvements to the industry and to Kingswood as a whole but the reality is, it has only progressively gotten worse.
"For any business this is not sustainable. So here's your final chance to say goodbye before the new year.
"On a personal level we are saddened for Kingswood, we are saddened for all of the staff and we are saddened for the other venues struggling in hospitality."
The venue will be open Friday and Saturdays until November 2, and then on December 7, 14, 21 and 24. 'Party Peeps' will be held on October 25, November 29 and December 20.
Chasers has attained legendary status in Bristol - and beyond, thanks to being referenced by local comedians like Russell Howard and Stephen Merchant.
Since making the announcement three hours ago, the post has already attracted more than 200 comments. One wrote: "A true iconic venue gone."
"Gutted. Such a shame to the community but a huge well done to the team that have worked so hard to try and make it work. Let’s end this in a high and go out with a bang!," wrote another.
"Lots of memories back in early 80 s for me," said another.