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Iconic Leeds music venue that hosted Arctic Monkeys returns in a brand new guise

It's hosted some very memorable shows from the likes of The Arctic Monkeys, The Streets, The Cribs and Hot Chip.

Georgina Pellant - 23rd June 2021

Synonymous for almost 40 years with live music and eclectic club nights in Leeds, The Faversham has long been an iconic venue in the city.

A massive hub for Leeds indie music scene in 2004, it has hosted some very memorable shows over the years with performances from the likes of The Arctic Monkeys, The Streets, The Cribs and Hot Chip.

For a time, 'The Fav' also became the home to the world famous Nasty Fest and Bad Sneakers and the award winning hip-hop and broken beat clubnight New Bohemia.

Set in its own grounds just on the edge of the city centre of Leeds, for years it's acted as a live music venue, a restaurant by day, bar by night and a nightclub into the early hours - with its location behind Leeds University Union making it a popular haunt of students and local residents alike.

Due to the pandemic, however, the venue has been closed for the best part of 18 months as restrictions on live music and club events have seen the events sector ground to a halt across the country.

Now it's back, with a full refurbishment courtesy of its independent owner - who decided it was time to take the business in a different direction and has pivoted towards private do's, like corporate events, weddings and private parties.

The building now consists of four distinct areas: the hall, the lounge, the conservatory, and an extensive outdoor terrace that seats up to 100 people.

It's hoped that fans of the old Faversham might find something to enjoy in the new - like getting married in the same room that they saw The Arctic Monkeys play all those years ago.

General manager, Zachary Williamson, said: “The last 18 months have been extremely challenging for the events and leisure industry and we are finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Our core business is weddings, so it’s been an extremely stressful time having to rearrange them.

“Some of our couples have had to rearrange their wedding three times, but we are now finally able to go ahead with these bookings and look forward to welcoming our first newlyweds on 26 June, albeit with the new restrictions in place.”

“The latest coronavirus announcement on 14 June has definitely put a spanner in the works for any corporate and private events company but we are making every possible effort to ensure our planned events over the coming months go ahead.

“As we are now a dedicated events space and no longer a nightclub, we have slightly more flexibility in what we can offer our customers, plus we have such a large space both indoor and outdoor that can cater to everyone’s needs, whilst adhering to limited numbers and social distancing measures that are still mandatory.”

To find out more about the new Faversham, visit its website here.