NEW VENUE IS SHIP SHAPE 

A Bristol venue has seen record success in the past few months, after undergoing a £1 million transformation last autumn.  

The Thekla Social, a 450-tonne ship moored in the Mud Dock, has seen admissions increase by 25 percent since it launched in October under the new ownership of live music and club operator DHP.  

Already the leading name in the Midlands, DHP has now brought its expertise down to the south west, and has been busy organising sell out gig and club nights at the 400-capacity venue.  

Previously known as the Old Profanity Showboat, the old Baltic coaster was brought to Bristol in 1983 by eccentric musician Vivian Stanshall and has since built up a reputation as one of Bristol’s top venues.  As one of the last remaining riveted ships, she measures 180 feet long and 30 feet wide, with a vast cargo hold that now houses a new sound and lighting system, fully refurbished dancefloor and viewing balcony.  

Upstairs, the outer deck has been cleaned and opened and a new café bar serves food from noon until midnight, daily.  The interior has been redesigned to reflect more of the venues history, removing much of the dark wood to expose the original rivets and ironwork while using light wood panelling and polished copper sheeting to give a maritime feel.  

Managing director of DHP, George Akins, said, “The Thekla is legendary, so we wanted to keep the aspects that made it so popular, but give the whole venue a new twist. Despite being on the water, it’s never felt like a boat before, so the new interior is designed to subtly reinforce the Thekla’s sea-faring past while remaining cool and contemporary.” 

Almost six months on from the launch, feedback from both performers and those attending is positive - more than 45,000 people have passed through the doors and huge names such as The Magic Numbers have attracted record crowds.

In the first month alone, more than 10,000 people attended different live music and club nights. The Thekla Social represents an extension of the renowned Social brand, which is immensely popular in both London and Nottingham and manages to successfully blend live music and club nights. 

George added, “We wanted to recreate the same atmosphere in Bristol with a venue that puts music high on the agenda, and doesn’t restrict itself to one genre. One thing we’ve been keen to do since the launch is provide people with choice – retaining the Thekla’s reputation as a club, but expanding to offer some really original live music too.” 

The Thekla Social is the first of DHP’s venues to be located outside of the Midlands, however an ongoing expansion programme means DHP is continuing to look for further opportunities for both venues and events across the UK.

ENDS

 For further PR information contact Kathryn Greenwood or Kate Downs at Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk or kate@edenpr.co.uk