Ant Willis and DJ Harman have been confirmed as the new owners of The Victoria, commonly known as The Vic.
The pair completed the takeover quietly before announcing the news on Facebook. They joked about keeping the deal secret and invited people to an official moving-in party taking place this Friday, headlined by Thrill Collins.
Ant said the decision to buy the venue was instinctive rather than calculated.
“I saw it come up, went to bed, couldn’t sleep, and by the morning I knew I had to do it,” he said. “I rang my wife and said sorry, I think I’m buying the Vic.”
DJ said their conversation about taking on the venue followed quickly, with both feeling it was an opportunity they could not let pass. He said the Vic is deeply woven into their personal and musical histories.
Between them, Ant and DJ have played gigs at the venue since their late teens. They have also worked behind the scenes on sound and bar duties, building long-standing relationships with those who previously ran it.
Ant described the Vic as one of the first places that felt like a genuine stage rather than just a pub.
“It wasn’t just a pub with a PA,” he said. “It felt like a proper venue, and that stays with you.”
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DJ said their experience as musicians shaped how they approached the takeover. He said it was important the venue stayed in the hands of people who understood the local music scene.
“We didn’t want to see it end up with someone who didn’t get the scene,” he said. “We know how important this place is.”
The Vic is widely regarded as Swindon’s main grassroots live music venue, hosting original acts across a wide range of genres. It has continued to operate at a time when many similar venues nationally have closed.
Ant said its scale was central to its success.
“It’s big enough to feel special, but small enough that anyone can play it,” he said. “That’s what makes it work.”
Despite the change in ownership, the new custodians said there are no immediate plans to alter how the venue operates.
“For at least the first six months, we’re keeping things exactly as they are,” DJ said. “After that, it’ll be small, careful changes, trying new ideas and seeing what actually helps original music grow.”
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Both paid tribute to Darren and Violet, who previously ran the venue. They said the Vic’s current strength reflects the work they put in over recent years.
The moving-in party this Friday is intended as a celebration rather than a relaunch. DJ said it reflects the venue’s long-standing character.
“If you’ve never been before and want to see something a bit different, that’s a good starting point,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ant pointed to Vic Fest over the Easter bank holiday weekend. The event begins on Wednesday 2 April and will feature four consecutive nights of original live music across different genres.
Speaking about the Vic’s role in Old Town, DJ said it should not be seen in opposition to the town centre. Instead, he said Swindon’s cultural future depends on venues, artists and audiences supporting each other across the town.
Their message to music fans was simple. Ant said grassroots venues only survive if people continue to attend gigs.
“Support live music, support your local pubs,” he said. “That’s how places like this stay alive.”
He said taking over the Vic was about protecting a venue that helped shape them as musicians, and ensuring it remains a place for the next generation to do the same.
