Hampshire’s music community unite to save Winchester grassroots venue
Music venue ‘The Railway Inn’ has created a Crowdfunder in the hope to raise £35,000 to save the business and keep the doors from closing for good.
The Railway Inn said, “Like most independent venues, we took a massive hit during 2020. We survived the lockdowns, cancellations, and years of reduced capacity but we didn’t come out unscathed. We are still carrying a chunk of debt from that time. Rents that didn’t stop, bills that piled up, and overheads we had to cover just to make sure there was still a Railway to come back to.”
Music venues such as the Engine Rooms in Southampton and The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth have taken to social media to help raise awareness of the Crowdfunder campaign started by The Railway Inn.
The Wedgewood Rooms said, “Grassroots music venues are the cornerstones of human expression. Even amid shifting crowds, their presence is essential to the cultural life of any town or city”
Express FM Radio Presenter, Paul Marsh said, “Grassroots venues like The Railway Inn and Wedgewood Rooms are the lifeblood of up-and-coming musicians. Think of some of the artists who have performed at these venues over the years. Oasis are performing at Wembley now, but without these venues, they never would have got there.
Marsh continues, “Music may start in the bedroom, but without these venues, that’s where it ends.”
The much-loved music venue in Winchester has also seen support from artists, joining the calls for help in the hope to raise the much needed £35,000.
Kaedan Swin of Portsmouth based band ‘The Targets’ said, “Grassroots music venues are the most vital part of the music scene giving emerging bands the opportunity to actually perform after months of hard work rehearsing and recording, trying to get their name out there. Instead of going out night clubbing or staying in watching Love Island on TV, just think, you could see an upcoming band performing all original songs they’ve wrote. Take the time to go out and support them make it. Please go help the Winchester Railway Inn. It gives a rare chance for musicians like me to perform when lots of music venues are shutting down and struggling. Go help them out”
Andy Foster, Portsmouth Singer-Songwriter said, “As with so many threatened spaces in this sector, to lose these sacred grounds for self-expression is to lose culture itself. The Railway Inn has been a staple for creative endeavours for years and it is imperative it carries on.”
If the campaign reaches the goal The Railway Inn plans to clear old rent and utility arrears, cover backdated overheads and fix vital kit. In addition, they hope to relaunch and expand community events. The events are set to be inclusive gigs, youth programmes, open mics and workshops.
Looking long-term, the music venues hope to work towards community ownership. “We’ve got the team. We’ve got the community. We’ve got the fight. We just need a fair chance.” it says in The Railway Inn Crowdfunder campaign page.
The Railway Inn campaign has just reached 50% funding at the point of submitting this article and hopes to raise the final 50% in the next 82 days.
People can support by going to the Crowdfunder website and contributing their support on The Railway Inn page. Details for which can be found on The Railway Inn’s social media pages such as Instagram and Facebook.
There are also a number of upcoming fundraising events such as the 'Student charity fundraiser' on 26th September at the venue itself featuring musicians from University of Winchester courses and alumni. Tickets available from The Railway Inn website.