A top Essex music venue which played host to bands Oasis and Travis will close down and be turned into an entertainment and sports pub.

The famous Army and Navy, in Chelmsford, will close on Saturday for a five-week refurbishment to make way for a mainstream bar.

Regulars and local acts which have played at the famous alternative live music venue have attacked the decision by owners, Bass, to change it.

Set to open in December, the new addition to the chain of Arena bars will replace the only venue in Chelmsford which showcases fresh talent.

Instead of supporting creative acts the new place, which will retain the old name, will present sporting occasions on big screens and more middle-of the-road performances such as pop tribute bands and karaoke.

Manager for three years, Sean Hudson, will leave with the closure. He said: "We need another venue that can house 300 to 400 youngsters. It's unique here. What have they got now?"

"You can go to the town for what has been proposed. What we have offers something different."

The two-stage music venue has been featured on MTV and was voted the best in East Anglia for three years in a row by a popular student magazine.

John Holland, 21, of Chelmsford, has played and worked at the Army and Navy.

He said: 'It's a massive blow for the town. It's going to ruin it for a lot of local bands. They're gonna have nowhere to play."

Pete Appleby, area manager for Bass, said: "It's not just a sports bar, it will be a local pub for local people. It will be all things for all people.

"It will be entertainment led with more mainstream acts, such as tribute bands. It will look fantastic, bright and comfortable."

Published Monday October 14, 2002

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