Empire makes awards line-up

COVENTRY’S music scene may not be the biggest in the UK, but one of the venues here just might be the best – having been nominated for an award.

Venues such as Birmingham’s two O2 venues, and Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall have failed to make the list, but Coventry’s Empire is one of just 11 venues to have been shortlisted for the Best Venue Teamwork award at the LIVE UK Business Awards.

The award, which is given to the “best all-round, in-house team – from venue booking to show load-out, working on live music events”, is only open to venues with a capacity of 800 or more. And The Empire, located on Far Gosford Street regularly attracts 900 people to its gigs and club nights.

Should it emerge victorious, it would join Nottingham’s Rock City club, which took home the award last year – which made it ineligible for contention this time around.

Having played host to the likes of The Libertines, The Enemy and The Wombats, The Empire is a contender for the award, but faces some stiff competition from across the country.

The nominees for LIVE UK’s Best Venue Teamwork are: Electric Brixton, London Engine Rooms, Southampton Fat Sam’s, Dundee KOKO, London O2 Academy Islington, London O2 Academy, Oxford Plug, Sheffield SWX, Bristol The Empire, Coventry The Junction, Cambridge The Leadmill, Sheffield

Understandably, bosses at The Empire are delighted to have been nominated. Speaking on his Twitter account, Empire owner Phil Rooney said: “Very humbled, honoured and surprised to be consider in the same breath as some of these legendary venues.

“To say we are buzzing is an understatement.”

Phil and the staff at The Empire face a short wait to find out if they are to be successful.

Voting has closed for the award, and the ceremony takes place at the Radisson Blu Portman Hotel in London, on October 11.