Coldplay played early gigs at Bedford Esquires
A grassroots music venue which has hosted artists such as Coldplay and Lizzo has said support from a new campaign could allow it remain open forever.
Bedford Esquires is one of seven venues that the Music Venue Properties (MVP), which is part of charity Music Venue Trust, wants to purchase using money raised by crowdfunding.
The venue has just over five years left on its lease but the landlord is planning to retire and the owners of Esquires cannot afford to buy the property themselves.
Gareth Barber the director of Esquires said: "If MVP buy it then it's owned by the community, it basically means the venue can never shut because the trust offer a long lease soon as they take it over."
Bedford Esquires opened in 1990
Since it opened in 1990, many artists have played the venue including Muse, George Ezra and Wolf Alice.
It was also a launch pad for local talent such as Tom Grennan, Alfie Templeman and Don Broco.
The venue was recently visited by AJ Tracey as part of his tour to smaller venues this month and Irish artist CMAT is scheduled to appear in June.
Mercury Prize winners English Teacher played Esquires in December last year
Mr Barber said: "Business has never been better. The diary's really strong and we're doing really well, but we have five and half years left on our lease and our landlord wants to retire.
"The only person who wants to buy a piece of land that big in the town centre is going to want to turn it into flats.
"Unfortunately, we face the real prospect of Bedford not having this venue within the next five years."
Mercury Prize and Brit Award winners Wolf Alice played twice at Bedford Esquires
Through its Own Our Venues campaign, MVP allows music fans to donate money and become investors in venues around the UK.
In 2023 it raised £2.88m and secured the future of five venues, including Bunkhouse in Swansea, The Ferret in Preston and The Booking Hall in Dover.
As well as Esquires, their latest campaign has targeted The Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent and The Joiners in Southampton.
It is also looking to protect "key community hubs" such as The Croft in Bristol, Peggy's Skylight in Nottingham, The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle and The Pipeline in Brighton.
In a statement MVP said: "The aim is to provide long-term stability to venues that are essential for fostering local talent and providing cultural value to existing, local infrastructure."
Mr Barber added: "With MVP behind us we can continue to grow, with a solid foundation for our future."
Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts & Bucks?
Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.
AJ Tracey will be live and direct at smaller venues
Music venue saved with £5,000 charity grant
Supporters rally to help struggling music venues
Music Venue Properties
'I was raped and now I work for the police, helping other rape victims' says brave Thames Valley Police employee
Exams 2025: Top 20 excuses teens use to get out of revising – and how parents can help them push through
What is happening to the former Rats Castle pub in St Albans?
Coldplay's special 'Orange' song for Luton named Radio Times Moment of the Year
Man dies after medical emergency in Hitchin
Wilson’s Street Food and Deli – A culinary journey
US has 'low expectation' of breakthrough in Ukraine peace talks, Rubio says
UK economy is growing more than expected – how optimistic should you be?
'Children cry from hunger – their mothers have nothing to feed them': Gazans speak to BBC
Faisal Islam: The UK's surprisingly strong growth may not be temporary
BBC joins Gaza children as they are evacuated to Jordan for treatment
'I had a criminal record for 56 years for being a lesbian – nobody told me'
Meet the 'invisible crew' who have 35 seconds to prevent a Eurovision blunder
Decades-long mystery of ginger cats revealed
'I'm overjoyed to be back': Syrians face daunting rebuild after years of war
Construction sites appear in Gaza ahead of Israeli-US aid plan rejected by UN, images show
Vegetable plot dig unearths crop of vintage bottles
Future Earth newsletter: Get exclusive insight on the latest climate news from Justin Rowlatt
A con artist with multiple fake identities hides a dark past
Powerful, premium US drama with Michael Keaton
Was the 1980s the most radical and creative decade of pop?
Comedy-drama starring David Mitchell
Teen faces long jail wait before Georgia trial
Decades-long mystery of ginger cats revealed
Farage is running a cult, says ex-Reform MP Lowe
UK in talks to send failed asylum seekers abroad
Woman appeals against Southport tweet jail term
Chris Brown arrested over alleged bottle attack
'They yanked their own plug': How Co-op averted an even worse cyber attack
'I had a criminal record for 56 years for being a lesbian – nobody told me'
Iran using criminal gangs for hit jobs abroad, court papers show
UK economy is growing more than expected – how optimistic should you be?
Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.