Barfly owner offers to buy Mean Fiddler's London venues

The Mean Fiddler organisation has announced it has received an offer for several of its London venues today (June 5).

The company, which also runs the Carling Weekend: Reading And Leeds Festivals, said it had been approached by the MAMA group about its live venues in the capital.

“A provisional offer has been made from MAMA Group plc to buy The Old Mean Fiddler Venue in Harlesden, The Jazz Café, The Garage - which is currently closed for refurbishment The Borderline, G.A.Y. Bar and G.A.Y. Late,” explained Melvin Benn, Managing Director of the Mean Fiddler Music Group.

“We consider the offer to be positive and are currently awaiting confirmation of that offer being confirmed before a final decision is to be taken. We anticipate the offer to be formalised in early August,” he added.

However he said that was the extent of the offer, and it did not include any of Mean Fiddler’s other activities.

“I can confirm that the offer does not include and would not be considered for The Astoria venues or any of the festivals or events and that absolutely no redundancies will take place as a result of the offer being formalised and accepted," Benn explained

The MAMA group is made up of three divisions, with its Live Music section including the Barfly network of venues and events including the Lovebox festival.

NME.COM contacted the MAMA group about the bid this morning, but was still awaiting comment.