Council leaders have pledged to help a music venue described as a ‘gem in the community’ find a new home before it is demolished.

The Acoustic Couch in Bracknell has been told it must find a new home by 2025 before the demolition of the High Street Car park, which it is situated underneath.

The town-centre car park was closed in October 2023 after engineers found its structure was crumbling.

Thousands of supporters signed a petition calling on the council’s help to find an affordable home – after volunteers claimed prices at the Lexicon would be eight times their current rent.

READ MORE: Warfield: Plans submitted for 235 homes on farmland

The petition, signed by a total of 3,144 people, was presented by volunteer at the venue Jaen Amber at last night’s full council meeting (November 27).

She urged councillors to support the venue to find a ‘genuinely affordable’ home as an ‘investment in the cultural, social and economic future of Bracknell’.

The couch has served the Bracknell community for a decade, with live music and open-mic nights, rehearsal spaces, recording studios and control rooms.

It also offers work experience for college students and open mic nights for music and poetry as well as hosting charity events.

READ MORE: Bracknell: Closed Coffee Barker could be split in two 

Ms Amber told members: “Grassroots venues across the UK are a vital part of local communities – without them, the rest of the industry will wither.

“The couch has hosted bands from Europe, the USA, South Africa and all over the UK – they bring their fans to Bracknell.

“They use our carparks, eat at our local restaurants, shop in our town and stay in our hotels.”

In response, many councillors expressed fond memories at the venue and pledged their support.

Councillor Moira Gaw said ‘everything that’s great in Bracknell happens at the couch’, while Councillor Iskandar Jefferies described the venue as a ‘gem in the community’.

READ MORE: Baby living in flat with no insulation taken to hospital

The cabinet member for leisure, culture, public protection and democracy added that the Couch supports Bracknell’s economy.

There are currently a dozen volunteers at the venue who range from 17 years old to people in their 60s.

The site of the carpark has been earmarked for redevelopment as part of Bracknell Forest Council’s transformation of the town centre, with £2.2 million in funding secured from the government.

Cabinet member for economy and regeneration Paul Bidwell said that the petition would be taken to the cabinet to see what council leaders could do to help.