Music / Bath Road
Totterdown music venue fights for survival amid uncertainty
A former tollhouse turned music venue that has hosted the likes of Kate Tempest, Paul Heaton and John Cooper Clarke is seeking support to ensure its survival.
The Thunderbolt faces an uncertain future due to challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, which meant it was forced to close in March and has been unable to reopen as social distancing requirements make it unviable.
With no recourse to any support funds, the owners have launched a Crowdfunder appeal to help cover the £15,000 costs of maintaining the Bath Road building in the hope it will be able to reopen with a full live programme of music.
is needed now More than ever
“We recently applied for an Arts Council emergency grant targeting grassroots music venues, but were unsuccessful,” explains owner David McDonald.
“As a sole trader, we are ineligible for the £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund, provided by the government to help cultural organisations. As a result, there are no more options in terms of government support.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNvBFuMKsl8&feature=emb_logo
David adds: “We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We’re remaining hopeful that with the continued support of our fans and others, we will be able to reopen and get back to doing what we do best.”
The Thunderbolt campaign is part of a national initiative by Music Venue Trust to prevent the closure of independent venues throughout the UK.
Any funds raised will be used to cover the fixed costs such as mortgage, utilities and repairs to the Grade II-listed building. If the target is exceeded, any surplus will be donated to Music Venue Trust to help other venues in similar difficulty.
A restored 1830s tollhouse that stands by itself on the Bath Road, the unlikely 150-capacity venue has established a reputation locally and nationally for live music. Described as the “epitome of a proper grassroots music venue”, it has already gained support from more than 200 people and raised more than a third of its £15,000 target.
Support the Crowdfunder via www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-thunderbolt-covid-19-appeal/
Read more: ‘Social distancing in a mosh pit? Not going to happen’
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
