THE owners of a long-running Oxford nightclub have hit out at their landlords as they prepare to hold their final event.
Purple Turtle will open for the last time in its Frewin Court location this evening for a rock 'n' roll party until 3am.
It marks the culmination of two decades of raucous nights in the subterranean student hang-out but staff are still struggling to understand why they were unable to renew their lease with the building's owners, the Oxford Union.
A statement released by general manager Felix Richter, on behalf of the club's owners, said they had been left 'shocked' and 'upset' by how rapidly events unfolded.
IN PICTURES: Nine nights out at Purple Turle Oxford
It said: "We are as shocked as everybody else at the decision made by the Oxford Union this week, we just cannot make sense why they would want to risk a new tenant when we have been there successfully for 20 fantastic years.
"We have fantastic, loyal staff who are obviously hugely upset by the news as well as our regular customers.
"The venue has always been run well and over the years we have paid above and beyond in rent, turnover sales as well as the money taken on the door which goes directly to the union."
The owners added that plans were afoot to invest a quarter of a million pounds in refurbishment works - if a lease had been agreed.
A new tenant is set to be announced in the coming weeks, according to the union, which blamed an inability to reach a 'mutually satisfactory agreement' for the closure.
From the archives: a night out at PT in 2008
However the Purple Turtle owners said they felt the union had never intended to renew the lease after it expired in September 2018.
They added: "We just wish that they had had the decency to come forward and state their intentions directly and given us more time to find a new venue.
"As it stands they have given us less than two weeks notice to vacate leading to 50 members of staff being made redundant just before Christmas, we have since asked for a small extension to arrange redundancy pay and to notify suppliers, this was refused."
The search is now on for another venue that could house the Purple Turtle but the owners are expected to struggle to find a suitable place.
Hundreds of guests are expected to mark the 'end of an era' at the club this evening and the owners said they had been left 'truly humbled' by the outpouring of support shown by fans.
Read also:
Victory! Oxford's Cellar bar smashes £80,000 fundraising target
Oxford's only gay night club forced to move
Oxford City Festival returns: 80 bands, six venues, one man behind it all
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel