News / mickey zogg's
Pub and community radio station launches bid to save building
A much-loved community pub and radio station has launched a crowdfunder to buy back the building.
Mickey Zoggs opened in St Paul’s in 2021 within the former Surrey Vaults pub, with the original Noods Radio studio returning home in the same year.
The new iteration of the historic Vaults venue was born out of a commitment to support underground alternative grassroots music.
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But the popular music haunt’s lease is coming to an end in November, and the landlord has now announced plans to sell the building, offering the Zoggs team the opportunity to buy back the building.
Directors Jack Machin and Leon Pattrick, and co-founder Francesco Campanile, need to raise £70,000 to go towards paying the deposit, which will enable them to secure the building and preserve the space as a hub for the local creative community.
Directors Leon Pattrick and Jack Machin launched Mickey Zoggs in 2021 – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Speaking about the fundraiser, Leon said: “Bringing the station back to where it all began was something of fate, a message from above.
“Seeing how the space has brought together the community and become a regular stop for music lovers and touring artists has been amazing to see.
“Although the idea of it all coming to an end in six months is heartbreaking, I believe we’ve been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide a permanent space for the radio and ensure the space can remain for generations to come.”
The original Vaults was a chapel for the local creative scene, hosting music legends such as Tangerine Dream, Detroit in effect, Stephen Mallinder (Cabaret Voltaire) and Carla dal Forno, and even served as the home to Oscar Wilde’s favourite drinking stool.
Since it reopened as Mickey Zoggs, the space evolved over the years into an integral part of Bristol’s grassroots music scene, with its brainchild, Noods Levels, launching a number of projects and activities to help the city’s creative community.
Noods Radio hosts roughly 230 artists every month from the pub on its in-house radio, with Noods Levels running a programme to help women and non-binary individuals get into broadcasting with Saffron Records.
In recent years the space has become an open platform where emerging talent plays alongside established contemporary artists including Dr Banana, Tash LC, Coco Bryce, DJ Sotofett and more.
The pub is home to Noods Radio and Noods Levels, a community-owned radio station platforming grassroots artists – photo: Mickey Zoggs
Some of Bristol’s prominent individuals involved in the music scene have come out in support of the venue, including Bristol’s Night Time Economy advisor Carly Heath and Save Bristol Nightlife’s Annie McGann.
“Bristol Nightwatch and Save Bristol Nightlife believe that Mickey Zoggs is integral to the cultural wiring of our city,” said Annie.
“We need to keep this venue and Noods Radio in the centre of Bristol and we give thanks for the opportunities and encouragement it gives people in the Bristol music scene at a ‘grassroots’ level and the enjoyment it provides across the world via the radio station.
“We love Mickey Zoggs and we’re behind them all the way in the effort to buy the place and keep it going for future generations.”
“The future legacy of Bristol music giants stand on the shoulders of these crucial cultural spaces,” Carly added.
“These pipeline organisations are the heart of sonic communities, and critical to music ecosystems. They serve an important function in the city and must be protected.”
Kerry Patterson from Strange Brew, a nightclub and arts venue in the city centre, also lent her support to the venue.
“Noods Radio has been an integral part of Bristol’s music fabric for almost a decade, supporting many fledgling musicians and artists, including giving myriad skilled opportunities to young & lower income individuals.
“Both Noods Radio and their home, Mickey Zoggs, provide a much-loved community hub & network that is absolutely essential in providing ongoing opportunities for creativity and building on Bristol’s rich culture.
“Their impact ripples outwards and cannot be understated. It must be protected and cherished.”
To find out more and donate to Mickey Zoggs’ crowdfunder, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/keep-mickey-zoggs-alive.com.
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
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