The home of an infamous folk club in Trowbridge could be in doubt beyond next March after a Wiltshire brewery advertised for a new pub tenant.

Devizes-based Wadworth Brewery has advertised the tenancy of The Lamb Inn because the current tenants intend to leave in March next year.

Any new tenants interested will need to fork out at least £20,000 in in-going costs to gain the keys to the Mortimer Street pub.

The Lamb is a popular, community town centre pub, where the Village Pump folk club originated.

It was taken over in 2020 by Kieran Moore of Sheer Music who has steadily broadened the appeal of the music by becoming more inclusive and offering a wider approach to live entertainment.

Mr Moore said: “The current tenants are leaving in March and we have only booked up to the end of March.

“From our point of view, it could be a serious concern. We have spoken to Wadworth and they say nothing will change as far as they are concerned.

“But if a new tenant comes in and wishes to change things then who knows what will happen. I think we will be safe for the time being.”

The Village Pump folk club started out as a music venue in an old barn at the rear of the pub and first opened its doors in the 1970s. It still remains a popular music venue to this day.

Ironically, The Pump boasted this week that it is bucking the national trends for the UK’s grassroots music venues.

The 100-capacity venue in Trowbridge, which has been in near constant use as a live music venue since 1970, is primarily focused on folk music.

Wiltshire Times: The Pump's Kieran Moore with musician Michele Stodart at the Green Note in London.The Pump's Kieran Moore with musician Michele Stodart at the Green Note in London. (Image: Kieran Moore)

On Tuesday (October 17), the venue was invited by The Music Venue Trust to the 9th annual national 'Independent Venue Day' conference in London's East End. 

Mr Moore said: “MVT’s annual report was also published at the event, which gave insight into the state of the UK’s cultural, live music entertainment community.

“The stats were stark. The UK lost over 100 GMVs in 2022, down from 900+ to only 800+ today.

“Ticket sales were also down across the board too, brought on by a myriad of factors; however, it wasn't all doom and gloom. 

“The Pump actually managed to buck the trend, selling year-on-year increases since 2020.

“It was an achievement that was highlighted by our ticket partner WeGotTickets, who congratulated us on reaching our new milestone, with two full months of the year left to go.

“In Trowbridge alone, GMVs have given first gigs to now internationally famous touring acts such as Enter Shikari, Skindred, Frank Turner, Architects and many more besides. 

“This is incredibly positive news and reflects a wider appeal for live music in Trowbridge, which has seen the Stallard’s Inn flourish in recent months.

“Many local musicians such as Daisy Chapman and Frankisoul both independently hire out Emmanuel’s Yard for live events and many local metal bands have turned The 12 Bells in Trowbridge into a hotbed of heavy music. 

“With the development of Trowbridge Town Hall well underway, and on course for their 2025 opening, the future of Trowbridge as a cultural hotspot looks in good shape.”

The Pump has just sold out both its Gary Stringer (Reef) and Gaz Brookfield shows with over a month to go for both.

Tickets have already started flying out for Jaz Delorean and Samantics in 2024, and there are more exciting shows between now and the new year to interest everyone.