SHIP AHOY…DHP SET SAIL
DHP (Daybrook House Promotions) the premier live music, bar and club operator in the Midlands, has invested £1m in the acquisition of The Thekla, a venue based on board a WWII ship in Bristol.
In Nottingham DHP own and operates Rock City, The Rig, Rescue Rooms, Stealth and The Social, with a total nightly capacity of 4000 people across its venues. DHP also annually promotes and hosts more than 500 shows in its own venues, plus other events and festivals.
The 450 tonne ship, moored in Bristol’s Mud Dock, has developed over the last 25 years to become a legendary bar and venue. DHP are extending their successful Social brand so that the 350+ venue (that employs 40 staff), that opened late last year, will be known as The Thekla Social.
Since The Thekla Social is already proving to be immensely popular. Already exceeding expectations, the venue saw 10,000 people through its doors on gig and club nights in the first month alone. This builds on the success of The Social in Nottingham that was acquired by DHP in 2005 and in November 06 enjoyed its seventh birthday. The Thekla Social is a collaboration with Heavenly Recordings, with whom DHP have had outstanding success in Nottingham.
George Akins, Managing Director of DHP commented; “The acquisition of The Thekla extends our thriving portfolio of venues and clubs that we’ve been running in the Midlands over the past 25 years.”
“In Bristol we have created a modern facility of a contemporary standard, whilst preserving the unique atmosphere of The Thekla. It is a top quality live venue, with a nightclub and café/bar. Live music and nightclub programming will build on The Thekla’s already legendary status in the Bristol music scene. We will have a similar philosophy to that in Nottingham, an emphasis on quality nights, and shows from exciting and original artists.”In 2005 Rock City, the bedrock of DHP’s portfolio, celebrated its 25th birthday - one of Nottingham’s most important live music venues. As part of DHP’s ongoing expansion program the company is looking for other opportunities for both venues and events across the UK.
ENDS
For further PR information contact Kathryn Greenwood at Eden PR on 0115 852 4717, fax 0115 950 9175 or email Kathryn@edenpr.co.uk
NOTES
About The Social/Heavenly RecordingsHeavenly Recordings, home of (amongst many others) The Magic Numbers, Doves, The Vines, Saint Etienne & Beth Orton, first started promoting nights under the Social banner in 1994 with resident DJs The Chemical Brothers. The first Social bar opened in central London (W1) in June 1999 to rave reviews and full house signs on a nightly basis. Social bars in Nottingham and North London opened soon after. The Social W1 has won best bar in the Time Out Awards. The Social Nottingham has voted best classic bar (regional) in leading trade magazine Theme.