AN Ipswich music venue faces an uncertain future today after it was forced to shut because of a leak - just seven months after it reopened.The Drum and Monkey has closed its doors for health and safety reasons following the discovery of a major leak in the roof.

AN Ipswich music venue faces an uncertain future today after it was forced to shut because of a leak - just seven months after it reopened.

The Drum and Monkey has closed its doors for health and safety reasons following the discovery of a major leak in the roof.

It is expected to cost £20,000 to repair but so far no one has been found to foot the cost, meaning the pub is at risk of never opening again.

The Princes Street pub, which was formerly called The Sporting Farmer, closed in 2004, but reopened in March this year under the management of Michael Carter.

It is owned by the people behind the Ipswich Village Development Project who agreed a shirt-term lease with Mr Carter expected to last until next year.

Mr Carter, who also runs the White Horse in Ipswich, said: “It's a bit up in the air at the moment and we don't know if we will open again.

“My landlords won't want to spend money fixing it when it's going to get knocked down, probably next year.

“I can't afford to pay out as I won't get the money back in custom and the landlords don't want to pay out as they won't get the money back through rent. It's a catch 22 situation.”

The leak has gone through the building's wall cavity and into the bar, affecting the electrics. It was noticed on Sunday and the pub was shut down.

Several bands were due to play gigs this weekend which have now had to be cancelled.

A spokesman for landlords Turnstone Estates said: “We have not been made aware of the problem but would be happy to discuss it.

“However, under the terms of the tenant's lease it would be their responsibility to do the repairs.”

n Will you miss the Drum and Monkey if it fails to reopen? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk