THE company in charge of a Basingstoke music venue has dissolved less than six months after it opened.

Stage Live Limited, the firm responsible for the opening of STAGE in Churchill Way, has dissolved its trading status and will be taken over by two new investors.

The Gazette contacted the management of STAGE after noticing a number of postponed shows on the club’s website, and was told by Charlotte Atherton, a director of Stage Live Limited, that trading at the venue had ceased.

She told The Gazette: “On September 1 we announced a transformational moment for STAGE. It is due to unforeseen circumstances that Stage Live Limited has had to dissolve its trading status and in order for the venue STAGE to remain as a shining light in the star of Basingstoke.

“However the new business, under the leadership of Alex Worrall and Andrew Eborn, will transform into STAGE BASINGSTOKE with a vision to create a world class offering to all who visit.

“This is underpinned with the upcoming launch of UPSTAGED, a members’ club located on the first floor with its own entrance, bringing an enchanting bolthole for those who like a little exclusivity with their cocktails, coffee and considered entertainment.”

STAGE initially opened during the Easter Bank Holiday weekend with artists such as The Boomtown Rats, Toploader and The Hooziers performing. The 1,500 capacity venue, which was unused for two years before Stage Live Limited took over, was previously occupied by Liquid and then Wonderland.

It will now be run by Andrew Eborn, former chair of the Montreux Comedy Festival, and Alex Worrall, chairman of Lasham’s famed Black Hangar Studios.

Charlotte said: “Andrew’s vision is for STAGE to be a jewel in the crown of the South East entertainment world facilitating acts for all audiences and tastes from cabaret and burlesque to the uber cool and freshly squeezed talent that emerges from out of their back bedroom.”