Potion and Motion confirms closure after two 'challenging' years in Maidenhead

One of Maidenhead’s last remaining late-night venues has announced its closure after two years based on Grenfell Island.

The owners of Potion and Motion confirmed on Thursday evening that the bar and club would close its doors for good at the end of the month due to a decision ‘out of our control’.

Owner Toby Denney, who also runs Off the Tap, told the Advertiser: “The past two years at Potion and Motion were a challenge, although successful.

“It’s not easy to be based in the town centre [which] has been very much…quite dead.

“Losing the car park has been a massive issue for all the businesses in the town centre.

“As more and more things close in Maidenhead on the hospitality side, the less reason there is for anyone to come to town and we have to deal with that as well.”

The venue is home to various entertainment including retro arcade games, pool, ping pong, air hockey, beer pong and booths with vintage and modern consoles.

Toby said the bar’s closure would specifically impact youngsters in the town who have few other places to visit.

He added: “The trend is self-evident of where late-night venues and hospitality venues are heading in Maidenhead town centre as well as the rest of the country.

“It's been a challenge on the same front as it has for everyone – money is just not there for people and the cost of living has people opting for cheaper or not going out at all. Again, things outside of my control and not things that I worry about.”

A noise complaint had been filed with the council by a resident at the One Maidenhead development nearly two months ago which prompted the landlords of the premises to activate a break clause in their contract.

“The investigation hasn’t even wrapped up yet,” Toby said. “It was enough for the landlord to terminate the contract.

“They had been informed about the noise complaint and during our meeting, they [concluded] that due to the new builds, a late-night venue was no longer in keeping with the area.”

He said the final decision wasn’t the council’s and commended RBWM officers for their support, adding:

“I think everyone’s going to jump on the council for anything they can. This one wasn’t on them.

"They were really good, they helped us as much as they could and communicated with us. They didn’t make any termination and were very much open about the fact that it was just a complaint they had to investigate."

He said challenges faced by the hospitality sector coupled with the needs of the increasing number of residents moving into the new high-rise buildings was a 'tough one to balance' for the council. 

“It’s not something I can control, it’s the trend. It’s where things are heading," he added. 

Toby thanked the customers who had ‘made the past two years an absolute ride’ and confirmed the final night will be Saturday, July 27.

“It’s going to be a great night but also sad in its own way as well,” he said.

Around 20 staff members, including contractors such as DJs and cleaners, will be affected by the closure but Toby ‘hopes’ for another announcement about new premises soon.

"We were aware of where the discussions with landlords were leading so we took a bit of time to try and find new premises although we are still quite far down the line," he said.

“The unfortunate thing is the severe lack of central opportunities in Maidenhead town centre.

"Ultimately the trend for town centres is the end of late-night venues."