A popular live music venue in Brighton is to close next month because it has been losing money.

The Lift, in Queen's Road, will shut on December 8.

The venue, above the City of Brighton pub, will reopen on December 14 for one last night for a previous booking by a jazz club.

Other bookings have been cancelled.

The Lift has been popular as a small venue for local bands and with up-and-coming national bands wanting to play a gig at an intimate venue.

Leisure company C-Side, which owns pubs, restaurants and clubs in the city, took over The Lift in March.

It said it had reluctantly decided to close the venue because The Lift was not making money.

Company spokeswoman Kate Johnson said she understood customers would be disappointed.

She said: "Obviously there is a lot of support for the venue. But it has taken a significant loss every week since. We would keep it open even if it broke even.

"It has been a very difficult decision. I know a lot of people will complain and be upset.

"But we have carried a loss-making business since we took over and fewer people seem to be going every week."

Ms Johnson said no decision had been made yet on the future use of the venue.

The pub will be closed between December 9 and 20 for refurbishment.