Campaign to help save Blackpool's much-loved Waterloo Music Bar

The Waterloo Music Bar, a friendly bastion of live music which plays host to not only local bands but big name acts and performers from America and Canada, has been badly hit by the coravirus pandemic.

So much so that it has been put on a red alert list of the top 30 music venues across the UK which are most at risk of closure.

Music Venue Trust (MVT), a charity which tries to protect hundreds of UK grassroots music venues , has included the Waterloo in a the latest phase of its #saveour venues campaign.

The campaign includes an online crowdfunding page which has so far raised a magnificent £17,000 for the Waterloo - but MVT says it would need to reach £50,000 to help safeguard the Blackpool venue, on the corner of Waterloo Road and Central Drive.

The deadline for donating is Tuesday December 8.

For Waterloo owner Ian Fletcher, a fanatical supporter of live music who has developed a huge following for the venue itself, it was a severe shock to be included on the 'at risk' list.

But although he is not comfortable with any appeal for money, he admits the campaign is vital after a nightmare year which has turned things upside down for his business and so many others,

Ian, 50, said: "The Trust knows our financial position and it was a shock when I saw we were on the top 30 list, to be honest - it really hit home how serious things are.

"We had been breaking even when we were allowed to reopen in the summer but when they brought in the 10pm cerfew we started running at a loss."

Matters have not been helped by the news that Blackpool, like the rest of Lancashire, has been categorised under the Tier 3 level for restrictions.

The latest Tier 3 rules are tough and mean that hotels, pubs, cafes and restaurants must stay closed, although those that are able to can offer takeaway, click and collect, drive through and delivery services.

The Waterloo will have to stay shut and, until further notice, live music will not be happening and Ian's plans to develop the food side have been halted too.

He said; "The saving grace for us has been the sales of our Waterloo Music Bar merchandise, T-shirts, hoodies and cups, which have become popular, but the trouble is that instead of us being to use those funds to invest in the business, we're using the funds to pay our bills and stay afloat.

"Things have got serious and I did think of packing it in, but it's the music side that keeps me going.

"Like a lot of people, I'm not happy that Blackpool is in the Tier 3 level, especially when you see areas of London at Tier 2.

"A lot of the rules that have come in this year don't make sense.

"At the Waterloo people come in, stay in their own area and are protected by screens. They are safer here than they would be at the supermarket, so why are we penalised?

"The Government has absolutely hammered the hospitality and entertainment industries, and in Blackpool I've heard that about 80 per cent of our economy is hospital.

"I really feel for the cafes, the small hotels and our pubs."

Ian, whose venue has played host to the likes of Bad Manners, Dr Feelgood, the Wedding Present and members of AC/DC, has been overwhelmed by the support he has received so far, right across the Blackpool community.

The former builder and joiner, who came relatively late in life to running pubs and coordinating live music, says: "People who come to our live music shows know that they are not just punters, we go out of our way to make them and the bands welcome, it's more like a family.

"The support we've had in this campaign has been overwhelming."

Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, said, “What the #saveourvenues campaign has achieved during the last 8 months is truly remarkable.

"Thanks to the efforts of music fans, local communities and the wider music sector we have raised over £3m in donations and have unlocked over £80m in government assistance to help stave off the imminent closure of over 400 grassroots music venues."

Ian says he doesn't like accepting straight donations, so he says that anyone who contributes to the fund will get a Waterloo merchandising gift.

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