East London's Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club announce crowdfunder to save the venue

Launched to the public today, the fund needs to raise £12,000 by 8 April (within six weeks). This will pay for a full chartered survey and valuation of the building, as well as the planning application costs which will put vital protections on the building. An extended target of £18,000 will allow FoBGWMC to develop a robust business plan with financial projections and cover all consultancy and accountancy costs.

The aim is to build a viable investment case for one of two preferred outcomes: for Tower Hamlets to purchase the club and then lease it back to FoBGWMC; or for the council to allow FoBGWMC to purchase the club themselves.

A community owned social club since 1973, the venue has been noted to host the original EastEnder locals, is an LGBTQ+ inclusive stage for the fab, where Sink The Pink was born, a filming location for the hit series Baby Reindeer, and has had great gigs galore inc. Liam Gallagher, Bjork, Jarvis Cocker, Paloma Faith, Sean Lock, and more.

Those who donate to the fund also have the opportunity to be rewarded with BGWMC merchandise, such as an A3 print of the club by the artist Lawrence Brand for donations above £70, BGWMC beers mats for donations above £30, and a Save BGWMC campaign postcard for donations above £20