Groove Guide To Close

Groove Guide this morning announced that this weeks issue will be their last. The nationwide weekly street press has been on the market by owners Image Centre Group who appear to have been unable to find a buyer.  

Last October Tangible Media (Image Centre's publication division) announced the closure of long running music magazine Real Groove, merging it with the Groove Guide and launching the larger, though ultimately not too different Groove Guide in November.  Image Centre Group had purchased both publications in 2008 when Real Groovy went into receivership.

An email from a staff member indicates that they are still open to a last minute intervention but it looks unlikely that the Groove Guide will continue in it's current incarnation.

We'll update this post with more info as/if it comes to hand.

UPDATE: Press statement from Tangible Media.

Tangible Media regrets to announce that this week will be the last issue of Groove Guide.

Groove Guide has been a much-loved institution, covering live music, performing arts and street culture for decades.

Despite a heroic effort by staff and management to make Groove Guide a success, it has proved too hard to find a financially sustainable model.

Tangible publisher Vincent Heeringa says: “Groove Guide is a terrific product, staffed by terrific people who have worked incredibly hard to make it a critical success. Unfortunately after trying lots of things including a relaunch in November last year, we cannot justify its continued losses and have decided to close the magazine from this week onwards.

“I want to thank the staff, Emily Govorko, Sam Wicks and Frances Bishop for their professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm. I also want to thank the many advertisers, especially promoters and venue owners, who have supported Groove Guide through the years.”