Motion Bristol’s future uncertain following lease extension refusal

Bristol nightclub Motion has issued a statement concerning the uncertain future of the venue.

In a post shared on Instagram this afternoon (13th November), the team announced that the popular nightspot is likely to close when its current lease comes to an end in July 2025. 

“It is with a heavy heart that Motion Events Ltd. announces the impending expiration of our lease for the beloved property… which will end in July 2025,” the statement reads. “Despite our heartfelt request for a lease extension and to purchase the property, the current owners have refused, leaving us facing immense uncertainty.”

Located within a listed Victorian warehouse in the centre of the city, Motion has been at the forefront of Bristol’s music and cultural scene since it began hosting parties while still operating as a skatepark in 2006. The club’s current operators lease the building from its owners and say that it has “always been a balancing act to respect the landlord’s potential plans to sell or realise the asset while continuing our operations”.

In an expanded statement published to the Motion website today, managing director Daniel Deeks elaborated on the mounting issues facing the nightclub. “Our lease is set to expire in July 2025, and as it stands, the current plan is for us to cease trading at that point.

“This impending lease expiration brings significant uncertainty and concern – not just for us as Motion’s operators, but for everyone connected to the venue, including our dedicated staff, the artists who call this place home, and the wider Bristol community that has supported us through thick and thin.

“The reality is that the end of our lease brings the prospect of the building being sold or repurposed, which could mean the loss of a venue that has been a pillar of the local and national nightlife scene for years.

“Sale or redevelopment could spell the end of an era, transforming a vibrant cultural space into something unrecognizable and disconnected from the music and arts community it has served.

“This situation has consequences beyond the closure of one venue. Motion’s loss would affect Bristol’s identity as a cultural hub and diminish its reputation for supporting arts, music and creative expression.

“Venues like ours contribute significantly to the local economy, bringing in revenue not only from ticket sales but from hospitality, tourism and local services that thrive from the events we host,” he added.

Mr Deeks confirmed in the statement that Motion Events were given the opportunity to buy the venue last year, but “only if it were not used as a going concern.” This type of sale would have enabled Motion to continue running in its current form during and after the sale.

He added that the company created a “detailed plan” to “maximise” the sale value for the landlord and develop the site to add creative spaces above the main venue. He said these plans were supported by Bristol City Council, which recognises Motion as an important cultural space and a valuable economic asset for the city.

However, due to “pressures and limitations” surrounding the building and its potential development, proceedings have reached a point where Motion will stop trading in July 2025.

“The building’s owner understandably wants to maximize the asset’s value, which may involve future development or a potential sale,” Mr Deeks said. “The implications for future development and sale are complex. If the building were to be sold or significantly redeveloped without regard for its established use as a cultural venue, it would likely face strong resistance from the council.

“This means that any prospective buyer or developer would need to consider these limitations, potentially affecting the attractiveness of the sale or the feasibility of any major development plans.”

In light of these circumstances, Motion has issued an appeal to the community, saying “your voices resonate powerfully; they hold the potential to advocate for a future in which Motion continues to thrive and enrich Bristol’s cultural landscape.

“Together, we can remind decision-makers of the value of a place steeped in history, love, and community.”

65 UK nightclubs have already shuttered in 2024, with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) calling for urgent, targeted support from government to help with an “unprecedented crisis”. The organisation has predicted that Britain’s final dancefloor will fall silent by 31st December 2029 if the current rate of club closures continues.

Find out how the cost-of-living crisis is hitting UK nightlife here.