Four UK venues announce closures in one day

Four UK music venues announced plans to close on Wednesday amid the pressure of the pandemic.

Manchester's Gorilla and The Deaf Institute and venues The Welly and The Polar Bear in Hull will not reopen once restrictions on mass gatherings lift.

The venues have provided a stage to many well-known acts, including Kylie Minogue, The 1975, Florence and the Machine, U2 and Pulp.

Roy Ellis, Chief Executive of Mission Mars which operates the Manchester businesses, said they were "well loved and have provided an early stage for many acts in the North West".

"The Deaf Institute and Gorilla have been at the forefront of the music scene in Manchester for many years and it is with great sadness that we announce that we will not be reopening."