Bands back

pub in fight

for survival

A Derby pub famous for helping to launch bands such as Snow Patrol, Kasabian and Coldplay could be bulldozed under council plans.

Andy Sewell and Micky Sheehan, licensees at the Victoria Inn, are fighting to save the venue which has hosted live music six nights a week for 20 years.

The pub, in Midland Place, has been earmarked for 'commercialisation' under the city council's £1bn Cityscape regeneration plan.

'The first we heard of it was when a brochure was sent which was hard to understand as it was in council speak,' said Sewell.

He added: 'It is still at proposal stage at the moment so we have a chance. They want to make the city nice for those arriving by train and have pretty walkways from the train station with cafes and muffin shops.'

A petition has already gathered 3,000 signatures. 'We have the full support of lots of bands,' Sewell said. 'Some of them have offered to play all-dayers to save the Victoria.'

To sign the petition, visit www.thevicinn.co.uk.