Fubar on Union Street in Ryde has announced it will close permanently at the end of September, with its final event being this year’s Steampunk Festival.
The decision comes as the bar and venue enters its fourth year of trading, but mounting challenges behind the scenes have forced the team to call time on the venture.
One of the most significant issues has been the deteriorating condition of the listed building Fubar calls home. According to the team, promised repairs from the landlord have not materialised despite repeated requests, leaving the building in a worsening state of disrepair. With another winter on the horizon, fears have been raised about whether the structure could endure the months ahead without urgent intervention.
In a statement, Fubar said that the building has ‘far surpassed’ its expected lifespan without major maintenance and is ‘deteriorating rapidly’. These concerns, combined with the lack of remedial action, have played a major part in the decision to close.
Rising costs across the board – including supplier prices, utilities, and general operational expenses – are said to have created a financial strain familiar to many in the hospitality industry. The team say that, despite their best efforts, it has become increasingly difficult to keep the business viable in the current economic climate.
The Union Street premises has long been a part of Ryde’s nightlife, operating under various names over the years. Locals may remember it as Bar 74 (on 2 separate occasions), Down Town, Bradley’s, and Liquid Lounge.
Dani Johnson-Harriman, Director, has said:
“We have had a wild ride and thank all our performers, customers and staff who have made these last few years a fabulous time that we won’t forget. We have some amazing memories.
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Despite the upcoming closure, Fubar is looking forward to going out in style. A full calendar of events is planned over the next 2 months, culminating in 2 special farewell celebrations in September. A band party night will take place on Thursday 19th September, followed by a Jazz Cafe Tea Party on Saturday 21st September.
When it was the bow bars, it was at its height – downhill ever since
You ain’t seen nothing yet!
Just wait until the school holidays are over
many more businesses will sadly close.
There are less holidaymakers this year, the
last Labour budget is killing off the economy.
Many families have less money in their pockets
after paying their bills etc, and bills also keep going
up.
It’s sadly doom and gloom.
There seem to be less tourists around than last year & there was a dip that year according to published figures. The more businesses in hospitality that close the less there is to attract the punters & the less jobs there will be on the island overall
Have to agree with you re the apparent drop in holidaymakers/tourists/trippers in our neck of the woods, Leyton…which is West Wight. It will be interesting to see if the figures agree with perception
Leytonstone this time of year probably has more
tourists than IW.
Lol