Two popular live music venues in Milton Keynes launch crowdfunding appeals to keep afloat

The Craufurd Arms in Wolverton and MK11 on Kiln Farm need to raise £30,000 and £6,000 respectively so they can stay afloat.

Already members of the public have donated thousands of pounds but neither is anywhere near their target.

The Craufurd Arms, in line with government advice, is postponing all events from Friday until the foreseeable future.

A spokesman said: "Like so many other small, independent businesses, we now face an unpredictable and potentially very grave future.

"Whilst trying to stay positive and planning for the future, without the support of the government we have estimated that in order to be able to support our staff and pay our bills, we need around £2.5k a week. This is why we are crowdfunding for the worst case scenario - 12 weeks, which comes to £30k.

"Put simply: without support and action during these times, The Craufurd Arms will NOT survive and its staff and the future of the venue will be placed in a vulnerable financial position."

The spokesman added: "We know you all have some unforgettable memories made inside these black walls and stories of incredible (and sweaty) gigs to tell. We have loved serving, meeting and entertaining you, our kind and loyal customers, over many years and you have always reached out and helped us when we’ve needed you in the past

"While we understand that so many others are facing similarly uncertain times, we are encouraging everyone in the community and beyond who wants to play a part in safeguarding the future of The Craufurd Arms, to please donate generously to this fund should you have the means to do so."

The venue is currently striving to reschedule everything it had planned for March, April and May to June, July and August instead, when it is hoping to "return to normality".

Meanwhile. a couple of miles away at the MK11 music and sports bar, there is an identical panic.

"We are experiencing some unprecedented times here at MK11. We’ve seen the sports cancelled, and our music events being cancelled or postponed until the end of this coronavirus outbreak," said a spokesman.

"With the loss of revenue from these cancellations we have found ourselves in a desperate financial situation, unable to properly support our staff or financial obligations.

"We have taken drastic measures to reduce our fixed costs as much as possible in the face of this huge loss of revenue. Despite these measures we still only have a matter of weeks before the remaining unavoidable fixed costs force our doors to close, at the cost of many jobs. "

MK11's weekly wage costs are between £1200 and £2000 each week.

"We ask for your support to help us see this through, so we can continue to provide a much needed facility for the community of Milton Keynes, and so we can continue to provide for our diligent and hardworking members of staff," said the spokesman.

MK11 has set a goal of raising £6000 through Crowdfunding. So far donations have reached £1,446 .

You can donate to MK11 hereThe Crauford Arms hopes to raise £30,000. So far £5,645 has been donated.

You can donate to the Craufurd Arms appeal here