Since being taken over by new management four years ago, the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath has seen everyone from Gilles Peterson and Norman Jay, to Roy Ayres and UB40 play in its 200 capacity main room. Now the same owners have committed to ‘develop local artists and events’ at their sister venue, The Bull’s Head in Moseley village, after being granted an extension to their licensing hours.
‘We’ve had such a success with the Hare (and Hounds), and built such a strong events calendar, we wanted a place where smaller events could grow and develop’, says owner and events director Adam Regan. ‘Our upstairs room at The Bull’s Head has capacity for 80 people, this is a manageable space for events and promoters who want to try something new.’
Adam Regan took over The Bull’s Head in 2006 and transformed it from a nicotine stained drinking den into smart, contemporary venue. Although with limited event space, and a large central bar that devours the downstairs capacity, making it sustainable has not always been easy.
‘Last year was tough,’ says Regan, ‘we are committed to Moseley but without the Hare (and Hounds) it would’ve been even tougher to stay open. Our events calendar is important to us, it allows us to offer something no one else can, so we need to nurture our artists and promoters.’
Currently promoting at The Bull’s Head are local collectives Freestyle, Habit, Jam Jah, We Are One and Apt, bringing a kaleidoscope of music from reggae and hip hop, to tech house and breaks. Under the extended licence plans are being made to develop the events calendar, including alternative cabaret and a regular night to find new live talent.
The Bull’s Head recently secured a license allowing entertainment until 12:00am from Sundays to Thursdays, a 30min extension on their previous trading hours.
The venue was also granted a 2am curfew on all bank holidays, including Sundays and national holidays.
‘We kept losing people to another local pub which was already licensed to serve until midnight,’ says Regan, ‘people would leave before the night had finished to get a last drink elsewhere. We wanted to be able to give our promoters a more competitive venue.’
The Bull’s Head ran into selected objections during its licence application from residents concerned about noise pollution. The Moseley Society represented their concerns at the hearing, after meeting with all parties involved to discuss the issues directly. Despite some lingering contention from individuals, a Moseley Society representative said the organisation ‘are grateful to his (Regan’s) offer to respond to any complaints in the future, and to keep in touch with residents.’
The Bull’s Head is also undergoing refurbishment, set for completion by mid April.
DJs playing this month include Ashley Beedle on Apr 1st, Guy Carlos on Apr 22nd and Martin Red on Apr 30th. For further details visit www.bullsheadmoseley.co.uk