"IT has been a long time since Basildon had its own, dedicated blues venue" says promoter Paul Dean, "so it is good news for lovers of blues and live music, that the very successful New Crawdaddy Blues Club has set up home at its new venue, The Holiday Inn, at the Festival Leisure Park."

Yes blues fans, the reputable club will open on Friday, May 4, in Waterfront Walk, with a visit from the Tom C. Walker Band, fresh from their performance at the British Rock and Blues Festival.

Doors open at 8pm.

Admission on the door is £10.

The non-profit making, 19 year old New Crawdaddy Club, is run by resident band the Heaters and like-minded music lovers, who play host to the best local, national and International blues artists on the circuit.

The club was based in Billericay for the majority of the last 18 years, but was forced to vacate the last venue due to extensive building work. After running the club once a week for 18 years, the eleven crew behind it, made the decision to have a long, overdue and well deserved rest for the past year, before deciding to get up and running again.

Paul Dean, who is not only the promoter of the club, but also keyboard player with resident band the Heaters, says: “The decision to re-open the club was very dependent on finding the right venue, and the Holiday Inn has proved to be the ideal home for enabling the Crawdaddy to continue to bring first class blues music to the area.

"The management at the hotel have been so helpful and accommodating in helping us set up again and we look forward to welcoming back our loyal band of customers, as well as attracting new blues music lovers from Basildon and surrounding areas”.

The Crawdaddy was honoured to be recognised in the British Blues Awards for their services to Blues music, when Paul Dean was voted to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

The club will be held every Friday evening in the Elizabeth suite at the hotel, with seated and standing areas, along with its own bar, with a food menu.

Full details of forthcoming gigs can be found by at newcrawdaddyclub.co.uk or by contacting Paul on 01702-347007 or email heaters@blueyonder.co.uk.