Threat to live jazz

Concerts at a top Midland jazz venue are under threat after a drastic drop in audience numbers.

A battle has now been launched to save live music events at Stourbridge's Bonded Warehouse, in Canal Street.

Audiences fell during the previous Autumn/Winter season and attendance has not picked up for the first concerts of the new season. Music fans in the region are being urged to help save the concerts. Organisers say they will be forced to pull the plug if things do not improve.

All the evenings have been organised by Simon Deeley for the past seven years. Previous years have seen events played before packed or near sell-out audiences.

Mr Deeley today said without a viable audience the concerts simply could not continue – which would be a loss to Stourbridge's reputation as a town for music.

"The cost of maintaining such high standards of performances is unsustainable unless the audience size is sufficient to at least cover the cost of expenses," he said.

"The Bonded Warehouse receives no grants or subsides, relying entirely on ticket sales. Unfortunately audience sizes have been falling in recent months.

"This has resulted in significant financial losses."

Mr Deeley said if audiences returned over the season and an Autumn 2007 programme went ahead significant improvements were being considered to bring in larger audiences.

"However, we need to get a healthy audience first for the coming season."

The next event will be held on May 11 with a performance by well-known saxophonist Andy Panayl.

Tickets for the event have been reduced from £8.50 to £7 to boost sales.

More information on concerts can be found at www.quests.freeuk.com/warehouse.html