Campaign to save Wolverhampton's Blast Off! gathers pace
Britain's longest-running club night – Blast Off at Civic Hall – is to end after 18 years and nearly a million customers.
A campaign has launched to try and keep the legendary indie night alive. Promoters decided to call time on the event and say the last night will be on March 8. The Express & Star has begun an electronic petition for organisers to reconsider. By this morning, nearly 1,000 had signed.
Promoter Dave Travis said: "This was my decision because I wanted Blast Off to always be remembered as a great night. I wanted people to have happy memories."
The Express & Star is launching a Save Blast Off! campaign.
Send us your pictures of Blast Off! nights out
In a statement on the club's Facebook page the organisers said: "After 18 incredible years and almost 1,000,000 customers, the last Blast Off will be on March 8.
"Thank you everyone that has come over the years, we have so many happy memories but the time has come to finish for now.
"We will, as ever, be open every Saturday until March 8, which will be a big farewell party in the Civic and Civic bar. We hope that you can make it, it should be something special."
Go mad for it - Save Blast Off!
Blast Off - The one great constant in my life
Emma Reynolds, the MP for Wolverhampton North East, went to Blast Off in her youth.
The 36-year-old, who grew up in Perton, said: "It is a great shame that Blast Off is closing.
"In my experience, admittedly 18 years ago, the music was great, the crowd were also really friendly and the venue is fantastic. It is now the only place I know that indie music fans can go.
"We need to push for further regeneration of the city centre to attract more people to visit both during the day and in the evening.
Tweet your memories using the #saveblastoff hashtag
Councillor Ian Angus, who at 35 is a younger member of Wolverhampton Council, said: "I was a regular there in the early days.
"It's become an institution in Wolverhampton. I have some really fond memories of Blast Off and it's a real shock that it is being withdrawn."
Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: "I am very sorry to hear that an institution of the city's night life is closing after 18 successful years.
"But let me stress that this is purely down to a drop in attendances and has absolutely nothing to do with the council's savings proposals, in light of Government cutbacks."
