Dave
At the end of the day, its up to everybody that lifts their fingers to put on live music, to do what they think is best.
If what they do is successfull, people keep on coming back.
People who moan about what a venue puts on, should get off their arses and do something themselves and prove others wrong.
I certainly do not regret the way I run my venue and there are a good number of people that come along each time.
I will be stopping at the end of the year, due to personal reasons, but I am unlikely to get anybody to takeover. That is very sad, as the area in question has never had anything like my venue before, and appear to be sorry that it might fold, but alas, nobody who has the balls to get up there and do it.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my part in making music live happen. If it doesn't continue, it won't be for the lack of listener support, more the lack of somebody prepared to do something for their community.
Les