Karaoke chain Lucky Voice has fallen into administration and closed half of its six UK venues, resulting in the loss of 53 jobs. The company, founded in 2005, was described by administrators as "one of the most recognisable names in the UK’s nightlife scene for two decades."
Three sites close with immediate effect
Lucky Voice's locations in Brighton, Waterloo and Islington were not included in a pre-pack deal and shut immediately. The remaining sites in Soho, Holborn and Liverpool Street in London will transfer to Swedish karaoke bar firm Moyagi Group.
The chain offered private karaoke rooms and late-night cocktail bars, allowing groups of between two and 30 people to sing without performing in front of a pub full of strangers. It had also previously run pods in Tiger Tiger venues in cities including Manchester and Cardiff.
Administrators cite trading deterioration
Administrators said there had been a "deterioration" in trading over the last 12 months and that "the wider night-time economy continues to face significant headwinds."
Steve Absolom, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “Lucky Voice has been one of the most recognisable names in the UK’s nightlife scene for two decades, and we are pleased to have secured a future for the brand and for three of its most popular venues. The wider night-time economy continues to face significant headwinds. Rising employment costs, elevated energy bills and a consumer who has become increasingly selective about discretionary spending have put real pressure on operators.
“Many across the sector have felt those pressures acutely, and Lucky Voice was sadly not immune. Our priority now is to support the employees at the sites in Brighton, Waterloo and Islington with their redundancy claims and ensure a smooth transition of the continuing sites to Moyagi.”
Bookings and employee transfers
Lucky Voice said it will not provide refunds to anyone with bookings at the three closed venues, but all bookings will be honoured at the three venues remaining open. Legal advisers DWF said 59 employees will transfer to the new owner.
