London venue The Black Heart in 'serious trouble', launches Crowdfunder to avoid closure
It needs to raise £150,000 by the 23rd of March
Last updated 4th Mar 2021
Much-loved rock and heavy metal venue The Black Heart in Camden, North London says it’s in “serious trouble” due to the coronavirus pandemic and it has launched a Crowdfunder to help keep its doors open.
UPDATE: 04/03/21 - The Black Heart have revealed that due to mounting debts and the threat of legal action from their landlords, they now have until 23rd March 2021 to raise £150,000, or they will close for good.
Visit The Black Heart crowdfunding page
In a statement the venue said: "We want to reopen safely and we want to do what is right for our staff, customers, artists and society in general – but every week we remain closed or restricted, we build up thousands more in debt. The £150,000 we need to raise is simply to cover the build-up of debt – the bills that have been mounting up while closed or heavily restricted for over a year. It is impossible for us to trade profitably until all restrictions are lifted.
"But, we have an insurmountable – and ever-growing – mountain of debt, and our landlords are threatening us with legal action."
"But now we know that we might be able to reopen on May 17 (and potentially even be back to normal in June), it has never been more urgent to Save The Black Heart! We have a huge gig calendar ready to go, both socially distanced and full capacity, but if we don’t meet our Crowdfunder target, there will be no gigs at all. Ever again. The Black Heart will close."
Want to help other at-risk venues around the UK? The Music Venue Trust is a charity fighting to Save Our Venues
Famed for its live music and extensive beer selection, The Black Heart says that after "zero help from the government or our landlords" during the pandemic they now need to raise £150,000 by 23rd March to avoid permanent closure.
The ‘Save The Black Heart’ Crowdfunder was launched on 25th January and, testament to venue’s popularity, within 24hrs had already raised a whopping £24,305.
Those who make pledges for certain amounts are entered into raffles to win prizes including guestlist spots, crates of beer, signed vinyl, festival tickets, guitar pedals and more.
Visit The Black Hearts’ crowdfunding page
Back in January The Black Heart were initially aiming to raise £100k to ensure their safety, and wrote:
“We’ve spent a year adapting our bar and venue to meet government guidelines due to this awful pandemic, but we can go no further on our own.
“We need to raise £100,000 by the end of March 2021, or we face the very real prospect of never reopening.
“We are independently owned and operated and are proud to have retained all our staff, because we’re a family. We are now reaching out to the extended Black Heart family for support as we launch our #savetheblackheart Crowdfunder.
|WE HAVE HAD ZERO HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR OUR LANDLORDS.
By supporting our Crowdfunder you’ll have the opportunity to win something. Simply donate toward 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.
“Week 1 kicks off with prizes from Orange Amplifiers, Ritual Productions, Rise Above Records, BEER + BURGER, Drink Moor Beer and We Are Beer Craft Beer Festival.
“The Black Heart is an integral part of the UK underground heavy music scene and international touring circuit. The list of incredible bands that have played in our venue is endless.
“THE FUTURE IS LOUD AND HEAVY BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP
“Can you imagine a heavy music community without The Black Heart?
“Yeah, neither can we.
“We love you, we miss you, and we cannot wait to reopen and see you all again soon.”
Visit The Black Heart's crowdfunding page
Fellow heavy music haunt The Crobar in Soho closed its doors permanently last September due to the economic downturn caused by Covid-19. Owners have so far raised more than £43,000 to reopen The Crobar at a new location in Central London.