Famous pub rock venue to shut down (From Times Series)

Famous pub rock venue to shut down

10:05am Thursday 23rd September 2004 in

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The Torrington, North Finchley's legendary pub rock venue, is to close its doors for the last time after its owners accepted an offer they couldn't refuse'.

The pub in Lodge Lane has been going strong as a music venue since 1967, featuring local bands as well as classic performers including Paul Young, The Stranglers, Georgie Fame, Dr John and the Average White Band.

Independent music promoter Pete Feenstra, who has booked bands for The Torrington for seven years, said: "The Torrington has always been a musical bolt-hole and it's the only one left in north London. Only two other London music venues have been going that long the Half Moon in Putney and the 100 Club in Oxford Street.

"There are a plethora of high streets in this country with the same shops and pubs on them. But The Torrington is a unique London landmark.

"On a Sunday night, there's always five times as many people in the music room than in the front bar. If the owners had shown the slightest bit of interest, they could have done something with it as a music venue. It's done consistently well with little or no help from the people who run it it's a venue people will travel to.

"First it was a jazz venue, then it was part of the psychedelic explosion. It survived punk and now caters for enduring rock bands, r'n'b, American tour bands, blues acts and quality tribute bands. It's featured in about 20 rock biographies, including The Stranglers'."

A member of the bar staff said: "We're surprised and so are the regulars. Everybody's sad but what can you do? Some of them have been coming here for 20 years."

Gary Morse, of the Laurel Pub Company, which also owns the Cherry Tree pub in High Road, said: "We got an offer we couldn't refuse and we took it it's as simple as that."

He would not comment on rumours that the pub has been sold to a developer which plans to convert it into flats.

An application has been made to convert the upper floors of the adjacent Iceland building at 811 High Road into 14 flats.

"I can't say what the usage of the site will be, but it's not going to be pub," said Mr Morse. "The Torrington will close in the next couple of weeks."

A M Poppy, of Woodside Avenue, North Finchley, lead singer of local cabaret rock band Wives & Servants, said: "The artsdepot the new arts centre at Tally Ho Corner, which opens next month will have to take over where The Torrington left off but I'm not sure how seriously the artsdepot will view its mission to nurture local talent."