The popular night club Purple Turtle is set to close down, as it failed to reach an agreement with the Oxford Union regarding a new lease.
In a statement, the club said: “As some of you may know we have been negotiating our new lease with theOxford Union over the last few months and unfortunately much to our disappointment we have not been able to come to an arrangement that would allow us to remain in Frewin Court, our home for the last twenty years. We’ve been asked to vacate the premises by the 30th of November, yep, that’s in two weeks.
“So, this week is our last, at least here anyway, we will be back once we find a new home and we hope you’ll all come along with us after all it’s never been the building that makes the Turtle, it’s the Turtle that makes the building.
“We’ve always striven to create an inclusive, fun and safe environment for you all to party and that will never change wherever we are.
It added: “We’d like to say a massive, massive thank you to all of our Staff, DJ’s, Promoters, Bands, and most importantly Customers who’ve made this one of the most special venues in Oxford.
“We hope you’ll all join us this week to give our old home the send off it deserves.”
President of the Oxford Union, Stephen Horvath, told Cherwell: “The Oxford Union and our tenant The Purple Turtle were unable to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement on a new lease, with the prior twenty year lease having expired in September 2018.
“We are looking forward to announcing our new tenant in the coming weeks – watch this space for an exciting announcement, which we are sure will please clubbers from the University and Oxford more broadly.”
The announcement follows a tough year for Oxford’s night life. The Cellar is still in a fight to save its future, while Plush Lounge announced that it was also having to change venue.
