Luton’s iconic Bear Club gets to roar again

There were fears the club, on Mill Yard in Guildford Street, would be closing this month after eight years in the town.

It has been a beacon for music lovers across the UK ever since it opened in 2014 - with a constant line-up of critically acclaimed jazz, blues rock performers, Americana and comedians gracing the stage.

But earlier this year owner Justin Doherty had announced this Christmas would be the club’s last.

He told the Luton News this week that there were complicated reasons for leaving and said: “It was just the end of the project for me.”

But to the delight of fans, he announced new owners had been found and the club will reopen in February.

In an email to supporters he said: “Having been approached a few weeks ago, meetings have taken place at a furious pace to see what is possible and how, when and what might be the future.

“I will be gone, remaining only in spirit and questionable carpentry, but the club will ride again.

“The new owners, Neil and Giles, love The Bear. They are passionate about keeping it alive, and that motivation had to be listened to.

“If one thing has been consistent over the last few months, it was the question from all of you as to whether there was anyone to buy it, or hand it over to. Until this point, and across the years, the answer was a solid no. Of course, there was a lot of flippant offers over the bar, but there really hadn’t been anyone who’d demonstrated the equal amount of passion, ethos and respect that was required to pry this project from my fingers.”

“Your job, now The Bear remains, is to return the love to Neil and Giles. Let’s reward them for sticking their necks out for Luton and music, and for keeping this thing on the rails.

“Thank you. To all of you. You know what you’ve done.”

The club was voted one of the top 25 jazz clubs in the world by All About Jazz in 2018 with the votes from musicians and the audiences.

For the remaining listings for 2022 go to www.the-bear.club/whats-on