The Picturedrome launches Crowdfunder appeal to help it through Coronavirus crisis

The Picturedrome has become the latest music and entertainment venue to launch a Crowdfunder campaign in a bid to help secure its future.

Like other pubs and venues across the country, it is currently closed because of Government restrictions due to the Coronavirus.

Owners Chris D'alessio and Suzy Keeping are appealing for donations to help keep the business afloat and fear without support besides that being provided by central Government, they risk not being able to sustain it past July.

Miss Keeping said: “We're asking for help with cash flow, asking for people to donate to help us through the time while ‘The Drome’ is shut.

“We've put packages together where people can donate now towards coming back in the future.

“We have tried to reschedule our events and not to cancel any and have tried to make the packages appealing to people.

“We know it's a difficult time for everybody, not just for us, but if you can spare a bit of money now, we’ll reward you with nights out and perks when we're up and running again.”

The Picturedrome is looking to raise £20,000 over the next 25 days and at time of publication has raised £4,730 through 155 donations. The campaign was originally started by a close group of the venue’s supporters,

Crowdfunder appeals allow people to donate any amount, but there are packages linked to different levels of donations.

There are ‘virtual’ pints and free entry to a specific number of future shows right through to private hire offers and the chance to name the mezzanine or main stage.

Miss Keeping and Mr D’alessio purchased the business in 2018 from the Richardsons Group - having both previously worked for it. They also run The Old White Hart.

In recent years, The Picturedrome has hosted gigs by local musicians as well as touring acts including Bez from the Happy Mondays, BBC 6 Music DJ and actor Craig Charles, Athlete, Space, The King Blues, The Sherlocks and Liane Carroll.

In 2009, Fightstar recorded and subsequently released a live acoustic show filmed at the venue.

As well as live music, The Picturedome is known for its food, comedy and film nights, for showing rugby and football and for hosting events including salsa and tea-dances.

Miss Keeping, who is currently volunteering in Northampton General Hospital’s Covid-19 wards and helps to run a foodbank, said: “As a venue, The Picturedrome almost fits into its own category, we do such a massive range of things

“The tea dances, which are something for our older supporters, is for some the only time they may socialise during the week. A lot of people have really missed The Picturedrome.”

The venue has about 25 staff with about a further 25 regular contractors.

Miss Keeping acknowledges the help the Government’s furlough and grant scheme has been in helping so far.

However, she added: “At the beginning, when we thought lockdown would be only maybe four or five weeks, we thought it'd be fine, but as it’s gone on, it’s become apparent it’s just not enough to get us through.

“We're lucky we have a good relationship with our landlord, the Richardsons, who have given us time off the rent, but the rest of the overheads are still there.”

The pair had considered opening its kitchen for takeaway orders, but decided not to take the risk and donated much of their food stock.

Their Crowdfunder appeal follows successful appeals by other music venues in the region including Esquires in Bedford and the Craufurd Arms in Wolverton..

Northampton pub and music venue The Black Prince is also raising money to help towards its survival.

For more information and to donate to The Picturedrome’s appeal, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-the-picturedrome

The Picturedrome is organising a Virtual Festival which will be streamed from the venue next weekend, from June 19 to June 21.

Artists and DJs will be performing inside, with social distancing measures in place, to help support the Crowdfunder appeal.

Organisers have so far released details of the Saturday line up which will include Slim 47, Accrington Stanley Trio, Brighton Riot, Sean Grew Trio, Point Blank UK, Elliot Williams, Hollie Marie Thompson, Ultimate Coldplay, Joe Church, Tim Winstone, Whiteroom, Wesley Emery and Joe Corkram and Pure Genius.

Music on the Saturday is from midday to 10pm. More details will be available on the venue’s Facebook page.