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Sunderland's Campus venue could reopen
Students are set to once again take over running Sunderland's biggest music venue.
Stars including The Arctic Monkeys, Katy Perry and The Saturdays had been vaunted as possible acts to play Campus, which was set for a revamp into an academy-style venue.
Sunderland's Campus aims to be music central.
But the Charles Street nightspot – formerly Manor Quay – closed this month amid poor ticket sales, said to be due to competition from cheap booze promotions at city centre bars.
Now negotiations are under way for Sunderland University Students' Union to once again take it over.
It is not yet known whether Campus will retain its American Frat house-style or be given another identity, but an announcement is expected soon.
A university spokesman today said: "Despite every effort by the university and Campus management, Campus was forced to close this month due to extremely difficult trading conditions.
"We are well aware of the importance of such a venue to our students and we are very pleased to say we have agreed a plan with the Students' Union.
"The union will take over the running of the building and are currently working on an offer that they feel will be attractive to our students and the wider university community."
Sunderland firm Wylam Leisure – which owns The Glass Spider, TTonic, The Queen Vic, Cheers, The Eastender and The Pullman Lodge – had been involved in trying to get the venue back on its feet, but boss Tony Griffiths said the deal had never properly gone through.
He said students were being tempted into the city centre by bars offering cheap drinks, which Campus could not compete with.
His wife and business partner Lorraine added: "We tried our best to get it going, but the students didn't support it and didn't spend any time there.
"We had big names on, with Ne-Yo, the Beautiful South and Little Boots, but the ticket sales were terrible.
"I don't blame the students. though, because their accommodation is nowhere near.
"I think it's probably one of the best venues in Sunderland – but it's in the wrong area."
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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