Another Sydney venue has bitten the dust, with Lewisham Hotel booking rep Jon Howell announcing the dismaying news of its closure ahead of its last day of trading today.
“We regret that this situation has arisen and that we couldn’t give more notice,” wrote Howell in a statement. “We’ve only just heard the decision ourselves.”
Indeed, it’s not only the closure that has shocked many, but the seemingly abrupt nature of the news. Thedecision will mean that future dates at the venue, such as Scorcher Fest and a set from rough and ready rocker Marshall Okell, have been either rescheduled or have been left up in the air, with no news yet as to whether or not Scorcher Fest Sydney will get a new home.
Certainly the closure is a sign of some troubling times, coming as it does in the wake of similar developments across the state. The beloved Lansdowne closed in September, and venues across Sydney are evidently feeling the squeeze too.
Whether the closure of The Lewisham can be directly linked to Sydney’s harsh lockout laws is up to one’s own discretion at this stage, but it’s hard to argue that Sydney is changing. Not necessarily for the better, either.
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