Club 85's manager Bob Mardon has opened up over the controversial decision to demolish the iconic Hitchin music venue and replace the much-loved site with flats.

Many in Hitchin have been left in shock over the decision for landlord Jas Lidder to turn the club on Whinbush Road into 16 apartments after Hitchin Nub News broke the story in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

According to the documents, plans have been formulated to demolish 74 Whinbush Road (the official address of Club 85) and replace the venue with'a residential development comprising of 16 apartments (5 x 1 bedroom and 11 x 2 bedrooms)

According to planing application 23/02127/FP lodged with the council on September 11, proposals from the agent BBR Design, located at 7 Paynes Park, Hitchin, indicate plans have been formulated to demolish 74 Whinbush Road (the official address of Club 85) and replace the venue with'a residential development comprising of 16 apartments (5 x 1 bedroom and 11 x 2 bedrooms)

The proposals also call for the creation of "vehicular access off Whinbush Road and associated works following demolition of existing building," which will affect a large number of local residents along Whinbush Road, with the site situated just off busy Nightingale Road, near to Hitchin town centre.

Mr Mardon, who has been manager of the legendary spot for live music for the past two decades explained just why Mr Lidder took the decision - and for people in the town not to blame the landlord for the unpopular decision.

Mr Mardon said: "While we want to thank everyone for objecting to the planning application and thus showing the council how important the venue is to you and the town, we would like to encourage you to act with kindness towards our landlord, we have no ill will towards Jas, we understand his decision to retire and we can understand wanting to do what is in the interest of supporting family.

"So, after a glorious 20+ years running 1000's of gigs at Club 85, it is with great sorrow that we have to say we're probably not going to be in this building for more than a year or so.

"We'd like to say a huge thank you to Jas and his family for hosting our Grassroots Music Venue and wish him well in his retirement."

Mr Mardon explained they are working towards finding a positive resolution - with Club 85 even potentially finding a new, as yet, unspecified, location.

He added that they look forward to continuing conversations with the relevant stakeholders and the music community to ensure live music continues in Hitchin.

Mr Mardon added: "We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved so far and look forward to continuing to bring great live music to our community.

"We are going to need your support over the coming year or so to prepare for this move."