THE Hippo live music venue in Bath Street has sold its commercial licence to new management.

The venue has also publicised that all its staff employed at the venue will be leaving after a final gig tonight.

It has not yet been made public who the new commercial licence owners will be -- but city music and recording company Deep Blue Sound will continue to own the venue's lease.

The firm has just sold the commercial side of the venue so that another firm can control gigs and entertainment during the evenings.

DBS director Dave Puttick said the sale would effectively mean another organisation running the evenings, but DBS would continue to use it during the day for students learning their trade in music.

He added: "So far as we understand, the evening side of the Hippo will close for a couple of weeks after tonight as the new owners come in.

"We felt, in the end, that the Hippo was better-placed for a company who will be there on Cheap Jordan Shoes a day-to-day basis to run the commercial licence."

Mr Puttick expected local bands would still be involved in gigs there -- and that students from DBS would still have a hand in evening performances.

He said: "The students will still be involved in the running of the commercial venture, but gigs during evenings will be down to the new owner.

"As far as I know, the new owner will be committed to being involved with our students and with local bands." On the Hippo's website, a statement reads: "It has been a pleasure working for this venue, putting on great shows and meeting so many great people -- both artists and audience!

"We are all very sad to be leaving, and would like to thank everyone for their support over this last year.

"The team all firmly believe the Hippo has the best stage and sound system in the region, and it is our hope even though we are not running it any more, the venue will still be used to its greatest potential."

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