The Borderline, an iconic and longstanding music venue in central London, is to close its doors permanently.

The intimate, alternative music space with club nights and gigs, tucked away in a small yard on Manette Street in Soho, has hosted the likes of Pulp, Patti Smith, Oasis, Muse, Suede, Pulp and more over the years.

The announcement comes just two years after significant investment was made in the 300 capacity venue with the aim of breathing new life back into what was one of the last surviving landmark live music venues in the heart of Soho.

In a statement, the venue’s owners, DHP Family explained that “ever increasing rents, rising business rates and ongoing redevelopment plans for Soho.”

Managing director of The Borderline, George Akins, added: “This has been a difficult decision, but given intentions by the landlord to increase the rent significantly for a second time since we took it over in 2016 as well as plans to redevelop the building housing the Borderline, we now know the venue doesn’t have a long term future so it makes no sense for us to continue to invest.”

He continued: “We’ve put our all into trying to revive this iconic venue but unfortunately, it has been impossible to turn into a sustainable operation due to so many external factors. This is a sad day for all of us who love live music and believe in grassroots venues.”