Surprise at closure of Cardiff music venue Barfly

Image caption, Cardiff Barfly opened on Kingsway, in the city centre, in April 2001

A Cardiff city centre live music venue has closed "until further notice," to the surprise of local promoters.

Cardiff Barfly shut for business on Monday night with a notice in the window announcing its closure.

Among local acts who played there since it opened in 2001 are Funeral for a Friend and Lostprophets, as well as US act Kings of Leon before becoming huge.

Barfly parent company Mama Group said it hoped to make an announcement "regarding its future shortly".

Bands lined up to play at the 200-capacity venue on Kingsway later this month were said to be among those left in the dark about the venue's closure.

But Welsh music industry promoters said the venue's closure was not a reflection of the local music scene.

Lisa Matthews, of Welsh Music Foundation, said she was surprised, as Cardiff Barfly was always busy.

"While other Barfly venues across the country have closed, Cardiff Barfly always kept going.

"Live music is the strongest part of the music industry so there will always be a market for live acts."

Image caption, Brooklyn's Amazing Baby playing at Cardiff Barfly

"The live music sector in Wales and Cardiff is in a strong position and new venues have opened in the capital that will hopefully pick up where Barfly has left off."

Cardiff Barfly is owned by the Mama Group, which also owns a string of music venues across the UK, including the Barfly in Camden, London.

A Mama Group spokesman said: "The Barfly in Kingsway has been closed until further notice, although we hope to make an announcement regarding its future shortly".