Music venues launch fund-raising appeals following Coronavirus closure concerns

The Black Prince is asking readers to dig deep and raise 5,000.

Two music venues in the region have launched fund-raising appeals to help tackle the impact of closing their doors during the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Black Prince in Northampton and the Craufurd Arms in Wolverton are both turning to gig-goers and the wider community to ask for support.

In recent years, The Black Prince, in Abington Square, has established itself as Northampton’s main venue for up-and-coming alternative acts from across the county as well as for bands on their first jaunts around the UK.

Working Men's Club pictured by David Jackson at The Black Prince.

The larger Craufurd Arms is an established name on the alternative gig circuit and regularly hosts acts from across the UK and beyond.

Promotions manager at The Black Prince, Phil Moore, said: “The cost of running a pub and music venue is not in any way shape or form cheap and a pandemic like this that forces us to close for many weeks or months could be the death knell for us.

“We've been fortunate enough to provide regular events to the people of Northamptonshire and beyond in recent years.

“We’ve had everyone from local hero slowthai through to the hottest new acts like Working Men's Club and Look Mum No Computer.

“The decimation of the live music scene cannot be underestimated.

“We want to keep our arts community strong and are asking people to consider donating a small amount to keep us doing our bit.

“In exchange you will gain entry to our comeback weekend of gigs, which will feature the best line-up we can possibly manage to put together.”

People can make donations of £5 and above to The Black Prince via the link below and anyone who donates £10 or more will gain entry to its ‘comeback’ party weekend.

The Craufurd Arms has a range of suggested donations. Anyone who pledges £10 will have their name added to a pledge wall while a £30 donation will allow entry to the venue’s Welcome Back Party.

Anyone who donates £500 will receive the Craufurd Black Card, which permits free entry for life, a limited t-shirt and a name on the wall.

At time of publication, the Craufurd Arms has received more than £7,000 in donations and The Black Prince more than £600 – with the latter only recently setting up its gofundme page.

To donate to The Black Prince, visit https://bit.ly/BlackPrinceGoFundMeTo donate to the Craufurd Arms, visit https://bit.ly/CraufurdCrowdfunder