Melbourne’s Beloved Bella Union Is Set To Close And People Are Devastated
This is a big blow to Melbourne's creative community.
[Update May 24]: The managing body for Trades Hall has released a statement clarifying their position, that Bella Union’s closure is the result of much-needed repairs and restoration of the building.
In this morning’s media release, they state maintenance is scheduled for between August 2017 and May 2018, and after that time a “new live music venue and creative arts space” will be set up. The new space will be “affordable, physically accessible and welcoming to working people, including the low-paid.”
Bella Union’s current operators take issue with the proposed maintenance, claiming plans are not yet set and there was “a lack of transparency” from their landlord. The Trades Hall Council stands by their actions, stating “We look forward to welcoming all working people to a space managed by a licensee who respects the need to preserve the 161-year history of this important site, and is more prepared to develop a respectful relationship with the unionists who occupy Trades Hall on behalf of all working people.”
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The site of countless gigs, festivals, theatre shows, talks, community events and Anthony Albanese DJ sets, Melbourne’s Bella Union will soon be no more. The beloved venue, which is located inside the Trades Hall in Carlton, will cease operations in October after the owners failed to secure a new lease with the Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC).
According to a statement posted on their website earlier today, Bella Union’s request for a five-year lease extension was rejected by the VTHC last December. They subsequently attempted to secure an extension until January 2018 to at least allow for “a full calendar year of programming for the venue and its regular promoters, artists, patrons and crew of 18 people.” Sadly, this too was knocked back.
The statement goes on to place the blame for the venue’s demise squarely at the feet of the VTHC. “The closure is not what Bella Union management wants,” the statement reads.
Since opening its doors in 2005, the Bella Union has been an integral part of the Melbourne arts scene. It’s a major venue for the annual Melbourne Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival — and that’s to say nothing of its infamous Eurovision viewing parties.
Naturally, the news of its closure sparked a wave of distraught reactions on social media.
We've had some fantastic book launches at @bellaunion and we'll miss the venue greatly! ??
— Affirm Press (@AffirmPress) May 23, 2017
This is terrible news, for the Bella Union company and for the arts in Melbourne. It’s going to be so so sad to see them go. https://t.co/Pgmx1rsNF1
— Jessica Alice (@jessica_alice_) May 23, 2017
This is awful news. Bella Union is where I cut my teeth as a DJ. I broke my foot on the stage there because I was dancing too hard to Robyn https://t.co/McgFwcg6lk
— Dan Hall (@danieljohnhall) May 23, 2017
Wow, this is terrible news. Bella Union has been such a mainstay of culture in Melbourne. Plenty of @free_play history here too. https://t.co/D0aBVhT6GP
— Dan Golding (@dangolding) May 23, 2017
I think I met like half of the Melbourne game scene for the first time at some Bella Union event or another https://t.co/RN7OGK9VFL
— Brendan Keogh (@BRKeogh) May 23, 2017
Hi @bella_union, can we lobby to #savebellanuion? Who do I contact?
— Cr Susanne Newton (@susannenewton) May 23, 2017
“It is with great sadness that I must finally accept we are not welcome at Trades Hall,” said Bella Union director and founder Catherine Woodfield. “However, I am extremely proud of what our small but mighty team has achieved over the years. We have all worked hard to create a venue that embraces creativity, diversity and, perhaps most importantly, the possibility of experiencing joy.”
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Feature image via Bella Union/Facebook.