THE owner of a brewery and tap room which became a popular live music venue for up and coming bands said the cost of living crisis lies behind the decision to close.

Keith Duddy, owner of Sociable Beer Company in Worcester, is due to close the business this weekend with a final party after seven years at the helm.

He has cited rising living costs and fewer people through the doors following the pandemic for the decision to close.  

Mr Duddy said he was grateful to those who had left such nice comments about the company on social media and he was hoping for big crowds over the weekend for the 'final fling'.

LOVED: The Sociable Beer Company in Worcester will close forever but not before the 'Final Fling' this Saturday LOVED: The Sociable Beer Company in Worcester will close forever but not before the 'Final Fling' this Saturday (Image: Sociable Beer Company)

He said the reason they had to close was there were 'just not enough people through the doors to make it viable' and he had always reminded customers it was a case of 'use us or lose us'.

Mr Duddy, who turned 60 this year, explained the cost of living crisis meant people who may have gone out two or three times a week now went out only once or twice, a trend which had more impact even than the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I think that's more significant. Costs have gone up dramatically. So have energy bills. Everything has gone up. After Covid people got in the habit of not going out," he said.

LOVED: The Sociable Beer Company in Worcester but there was just not enough people through the doors in later years to make it viable LOVED: The Sociable Beer Company in Worcester but there was just not enough people through the doors in later years to make it viable (Image: Sociable Beer Company)

Over the seven years, there have been almost 500 gigs at the venue and they have paid out around £100,000 to local musicians. He said after Covid they found the business on Saturday was largely private hire for 40th and 50th birthday parties. 

The venue became known for live music - covers bands on Fridays but also as a first gig venue for a number of new bands making original music on Saturdays.

Mr Duddy said he had not yet decided what to do next but he had always had a job which ran alongside Sociable Beer Company.

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"My run in hospitality is now probably at an end. My wife used to call it an expensive hobby. She wishes I had taken up golf instead," he said.

The premises itself was a former lost property store and, before that, a factory that made electrical equipment. 

Food on Saturday will be provided by Comparipasta who will be providing pizzas from 6pm. They are expected to be selling off beer at 'silly prices' with cask beer at £2 per pint all weekend. The bar opens at 4pm on Saturday. 

A last Friday gig also takes place tonight with The Turn performing from 8.30pm.