A NEW music venue in Bournemouth has been forced to postpone a launch event this weekend due to an issue with its fire escape route.

The event was due to take place tonight at Madding Crowd with live music from funk, soul and pop band Session One and support from The Royal Ts and Lee Rasdall-Dove.

The venue said it had been “postponed until further notice.”

Madding Crowd only recently opened at the former Madisons nightclub in Bournemouth Square.

Hightown Parade had also been due to appear last night, but the show was also postponed.

In a statement posted on the Madding Crowd Facebook page on Wednesday, a spokesperson said: “It is with deep regret that the Madding Crowd BIG launch weekend has been postponed.

“This is due to a 3rd party legal issue regarding a fire escape route.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and the new launch dates will be announced once issues are resolved over the next month or so.”

A spokesperson said the venue has permission to host “intimate gigs for a maximum of 60 guests and we will still be hosting our smaller events.”

They added: “Again, we apologise for any inconvenience.

“Madding Crowd will be launching in style soon, please bear with us and it will be worth the wait.”