The Flapper to close in June
It’s a sad day. Birmingham has lost another of its most loved independent music venues.
Falling foul to what is likely to be yet another soulless block of city centre flats, The Flapper has had no choice but to announce that they are to close their doors for the final time on Saturday 30th June.
While plans have yet to be passed by Birmingham City Council, The Flapper sees its position as untenable despite having been a mainstay in Birmingham’s rock scene since 1969. At the time of writing there are no plans for the venue to relocate.
Bands like Editors cut their teeth here in their early days and the canalside venue, formerly known as The Longboat and The Flapper & Firkin, is another in a long line of venues that Birmingham and the UK has lost to development. It wasn’t that long ago that we lost venues like The Yardbird and Subside in order to make way for city centre development.
In all honesty, it’s hard for us to put in to words how we feel about this. Some of our earliest shows we hosted back in 2010 were at The Flapper, and we hosted one as recent as March 2017 too. We’ve frequented this venue as a team, as individuals, as promoters, as punters and most importantly, gig-goers. Losing this venue is yet another nail in the coffin of Birmingham’s music scene and we can’t fathom why it’s been allowed to happen.
You can read The Flapper’s official statement below.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Saturday 30th June 2018 will be our last day of trade. We would like to clarify that it will be business as usual up until this date.
“Redevelopment plans are still being deliberated by Birmingham City Council; they have currently not been passed. When we hear of any further news regarding the plans we will publish them via our social media sites and website.
“In honour of The Flapper, The Flapper and Firkin and The Longboat we are currently organising a celebration of this much-loved music venue and pub which will include special events and bands playing the last ever gigs within the venue.
“We’d like to ask for sensitivity towards our staff at this time. We look forward to seeing you all and hope you come and enjoy The Flapper for the few months she has left.
“If there are any questions, please comment below and we will try our best to answer them. Birmingham Promoters are currently organising the last ever shows; and questions or queries please email info@birminghampromoters.com Please understand they are extremely busy at this time and will get back to you as soon as they can, we won’t be able to answer any booking related questions.
•1969 – 2018•”
Header photo by Robin Hayward
Founding editor of Counteract. Freelance travel and music journalist.