photo_cameraThe Blind Pig
Venues
UK: The Blind Pig to Close After 12 Years
The grassroots music venue in Sowerby Bridge will close on 14 November after operator Julie Hall was unable to find a successor to continue running the venue
The Blind Pig, an independent live music venue in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, has announced it will close on 14 November 2026, ending 12 years under the management of Julie Hall.
Located on Tower Hill, the 80-capacity venue has been part of Calderdale’s grassroots music scene, hosting local and touring artists and providing opportunities for independent promoters. The venue has also offered free venue hire, including sound technicians, to promoters organising live events.
Operator Unable to Find Successor
Hall announced earlier this year that she intended to step away from The Blind Pig after 12 years, expressing her hope that another operator would take over and maintain its live music programme.
Despite efforts to secure a successor, the venue`s future as a live music space could not be secured.
In a statement shared on social media, Hall said:
“I have tried my hardest for The Pig to remain a music venue for the future, I’m devastated that I haven’t achieved my wish. I know how important this place can be for the community.”
She confirmed that the venue would close on Saturday, 14 November, coinciding with the local Noise in the Valley music event, and thanked the staff, musicians, DJs and audiences who had supported the venue.
Hall will continue operating The Turks Head, another pub in Sowerby Bridge.
Music Venue Trust Responds
UK grassroots music organisation Music Venue Trust (MVT) has acknowledged the closure and highlighted the challenges involved in sustaining independent music venues and securing their long-term future.
In its statement, MVT said:
“What makes this loss particularly difficult is that the value of the venue to its community is not in question.”
The organisation added:
“The closure is another reminder of how vulnerable grassroots music venues remain, and why protecting them requires more than recognising their importance once they’re at risk.”
MVT also thanked Hall and her team for their contribution to the local music community over the past 12 years, highlighting the dedication required to operate grassroots venues and provide performance opportunities for emerging artists.