Blackpool's Waterloo Music Bar taken off crisis 'red list' after campaign

Waterloo owner Ian Fletcher says the good news is down to the incredible fundraising response from music lovers, musicians and Blackpool residents after a crowdfunding page was set up.

But Ian is not ready to crack open the champagne just yet as the fund is still £5,000 short of the £50,000 target and there still uncertainly over when pubs and other hospitality businesses can reopen.

The venue, on the corner of Waterloo Road and Central Drive, was put on the red list last year by charity the Music Venue Trust (MVT), which represents hundreds of UK grassroots music venues,

The MVT identified 30 venues across the country that were at most risk following a disastrous 2020 caused by the coronavirus lockdowns, and it started the campaign to save them.

Now 13 venues, including the Waterloo, have successfully been removed from immediate threat.

Ian said: "We would like to thank everyone who has donated their time and effort into fighting for the Waterloo, and helped in our ongoing battle to survive this pandemic.

"This is good news but we are not quite out of the woods yet.

"Although we have raised £45,000, which is brilliant, we are still short of our target"

While the crowdfunder has so far reached around £36,000, additional support has also come via fundraisers by musicians and supporters, bringing the totl up to £45,000 so far.

Ian added: "We are determined to make a success of the Waterloo because we are passionate about music.

"Without financial support and fundraising events from our loyal customers and artists such as Frank Turner, Blackpool will lose one of its most culturally significant music venues.

"Having missed out on both rounds of CRF funding (on eligibility criteria) we cannot stress enough how close to the brink we have been since last year, especially as there is no clear road map out of this disaster."

Ian said the Waterloo had now been moved to the "amber" list, which means it is no longer critical but not yet completely safe.

Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, said, “We want to thank every artist, every audience member, every member of our community for taking direct action which means we are able to remove these 13 venues from the Red List right now.

"The love shown for these venues continues to demonstrate how important they are to people and to our towns and cities. Music Venue Trust is committed to reopening every venue safely and we are going to carry on working through this crisis until that outcome is achieved.”

To donate to the appeal, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/waterloomusicbar