This Burnley live music venue could close for good if lockdown restrictions go on for months, says its owner

The owner of a live music venue in Burnley is fearing for its future as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the sector.
The Gallery at Creative Arts Burnley. Photo: Beki Hughes (RH Photomania)The Gallery at Creative Arts Burnley. Photo: Beki Hughes (RH Photomania)
The Gallery at Creative Arts Burnley. Photo: Beki Hughes (RH Photomania)

Natalie George and Cain Bramley opened ‘The Gallery at Creative Arts Burnley’, at the back of their tattoo studio in lower St James’ Street, late last year.

In that time, their ambitious artistic hub has become a hotspot for emerging and established talent, thriving through a series of workshops, exhibitions and live gigs.

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The lockdown has come at the worst possible time for the couple, and Natalie said if things do not start getting back to normal soon they are going to be in real trouble

Cain Bramley and Natalie George. Photo: Beki Hughes (RH Photomania)Cain Bramley and Natalie George. Photo: Beki Hughes (RH Photomania)
Cain Bramley and Natalie George. Photo: Beki Hughes (RH Photomania)

"Unless something occurs, it is going to be difficult for us," she said. "If we managed to reopen in June then we should be ok. If it goes on longer than that then we just don't know. It is unsettling but we are doing our best to remain positive.

"We have had to claim benefits, and that has been hard to do. We are still waiting for the £10,000 business disruption grant. People are telling us to get loans, but we have worked hard to start our businesses and we don't want to end up in debt."

The Gallery is a member of the Music Venue Trust, a charity that seeks to protect, secure and improve Grassroots Music Venues.

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In a recent blog post, the charity's CEO, Mark Davyd, said the very foundations of the industry were under 'grave threat, with 556 of the 670 venues they represent at imminent risk of being permanently closed down.

"They have been extremely helpful," said Natalie. "They identify the venues most at risk, and make sure they get the support they need.

"This could not have happened at a worse time for us really. We have not been going for a year, so we are not able to furlough staff. We were also just about to submit our bid to the Arts Council when all this started.

"The council has now reallocated those funds to people already on their books. So we have missed out on it, and that is upsetting. A lot of work went into that bid, and the money was going to be used to pay artists, and buy equipment."

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Despite these setbacks Natalie and Cain are determined to focus on the positives and have been thinking up creative ways to help keep the business sustainable.

Volunteers are being sought to help with fundraising and digital marketing while a membership scheme is also being rolled out.

The Gallery has even adapted its signature event - The Platform Project - with an eclectic mix of performers now appearing live online every Saturday through the venue's Facebook page.

"The response we have had to the Quarantine Project has been astounding," said Natalie. "People were inspired. We do feel a responsibility towards these artists.. This is hard for them, they need an outlet and we want to give them that.

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"We put out a call for volunteers and we have had a few people come forward. It's nice to know that there is support out there. Local act Design Rewind even released a single from their upcoming album through our page, which was incredibly nice.

"We've got to make the best of a bad situation.

“Due to the fact grassroots music funds have been reallocated to the Covid-19 funds we are now left with a shortfall. This is why we are trying to raise community-based funding now to help the businesses and artists out for when we are able to re-open.

"If say 1,000 people signed up to our membership at £2 a month, that would bring in £24,000 a year which would enable us to secure a number of gigs, workshops etc so we are able to continue the work we started pre-crisis.

"It’s more about creating a financial safety net to help us provide community activities whilst helping out our most vulnerable grass roots musicians and artists who have all been hit hard by the outbreak.

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“We need to recognise how important grassroots music venues are to the UK music scene. We want to let people know we are in this together and want to get the message out that we are still here for those artists. We will continue carry on searching for ways to get through this together as community.”

Details on The Gallery's membership programme will be posted on their Facebook page in the coming days.

Anybody wishing to get involved with The Quarantine Project can send a short message to The Gallery's page or email [email protected].