A VENUE known as “the home of live music” in Basildon has closed suddenly after almost 14 years in the town centre.

The Edge, in Basildon Town Square, has announced it is closed after initially opening as a music venue, bar and lounge in late 2010.

A message on The Edge’s website apologises for the closure, reading that “The Edge Basildon is now permanently closed, we wish to thank all out patrons and we wish everyone the best for the future.”

The sudden closure of the venue, known as “Basildon’s home of live music,” has had a major impact on disability club night, Involve, which has been run in The Edge for seven years.

The club night was previously described as “part of the furniture of the bar”.

Together in Musical Expression and Involve founder, Marc Barnacle, said: “It closed suddenly, we got a call saying it would be closing, they didn’t go into it.

“We have had such incredible support from them.

“They have provided a wonderful venue with wonderful staff and our attendees loved the staff and had a great relationship with them. It was sad to see them go.

“We’ve been really proactive. We have contacted other venues and we have received positive feedback. There are few things of this nature in Basildon.

“When you have been somewhere for eight years, you become part of the furniture, so it was a shock.”

Involve, who run regular special needs and disability inclusive club events for those with additional needs and their carers are now scrambling to find somewhere that fits the provisions that The Edge once offered them.

The group is searching for a location in Basildon that can house close to 100 clubgoers and their carers, with disabled access and toilets.

“Involve will continue. There have been hurdles, there have been logistical issues, but we feel positive,” Marc said.

“We will miss The Edge, it was a huge part of our lives but we have to push on and make Involve better and bigger.

“We hope to have news in the next three or four weeks.”