The Black Heart in Camden has raised £150,000, ensuring the venue can stay open for another year.
The Black Heart was listed as one of the Music Venue Trust’s ‘Red List’ this year. The Red List works on a traffic light system and highlights the venues that did not receive funding from the government’s Emergency Response Funds. Venues deemed to be in the red zone are the most likely spaces to close because of a lack of funds. In February, the MVT shared 20 new venues that were at risk of closure, deemed ‘unsuitable’ for government funding.
The Black Heart in Camden prides itself on being “An integral part of the UK underground heavy music scene.” The venue management has spent a year adapting the bar and venue to meet government guidelines so that when government lockdowns are lifted, events can take place safely with social distancing in place. Without raising £150,000 by the end of March 2021, the venue would have had to close permanently.
Although it is an independently owned space, the bar has been able to retain all of its staff despite zero financial support from the building’s landlords or from the government. The Black Heart held an online crowdfunder, where donors could win prizes from international bands and breweries.
“By supporting our Crowdfunder you’ll have the opportunity to win something. Simply donate towards the prize you’re keen to win and you will be entered into that raffle. Every week we will release a new round of prizes and we’ve priced it to cover all budgets.”
Many venues are still at risk of permanent closure. The Music Venue Trust’s February announcement stated that many more venues were at risk, including The Fiddler’s Elbow, another music space in Camden.
“The future is loud and heavy, but we need your help”
To support venues that are still on the Red List, you can donate directly to the #SaveOurVenues campaign crowdfunder or purchase items from the Music Venue Trust shop. The crowdfunder has already raised £4 million from 79,320 supporters, as of March 2021.
