Big Tony’s venue Fundraiser

Aim

Our beloved High Street venue needs your help!

Where?

The venue on 68 High Street: recently it was The Big Difference, before that The Cookie and Crumblin’ Cookie.

If this fundraiser is successful and all the right pieces fall into place, the venue could have a new name very soon... FORUM PORCORUM

Who?

Anthony Lamb (Big Tony) was the manager of The Big Difference from 2022 - 2026.

The venue was forced to closed due the charity that owned The Big Difference facing financial hardship, resulting in the venue being dragged down with it. Anthony doesn’t want the hard work and community that was built around this venue to go to waste. He has set up his own company and is ready to take on the lease for the venue as soon as possible.

What?
The new venue will continue to be LGBTQIA+ friendly and provide a safe space for the alternative people of Leicester. Forum Porcorum will champion local artists and pay them fairly for their performances. I will continue to work with a range of booking agents and local promoters to bring new and exciting acts to Leicester. My aim is to build Forum Porcorum into more of a community bar rather than only a destination venue. Of course, I will continue running our events, but I want Forum Porcorum to be a real 'third space' where people want to spend time with their friends and find community. Forum Porcorum will also make sure that payment to artists are ALWAYS made on time.

Why?

To put it bluntly, I don't have any money. I don't have any savings or generational wealth to fall back on. I will be starting this business with absolutely nothing but my reputation and determination to make Forum Porcorum a reality. I will also be looking at small business loans and funding options to help get this off the ground - I know I can't fully rely on this fundraiser to cover all the start-up costs.

But…Why Forum Porcorum?

According to Storyofleicester.info - 'High Street follows a route that existed in Roman times, connecting East Gate to the Forum and Basilica (now Jubilee Square). In medieval times it was known as Forum Porcorum (‘pig market’) or Swinesmarket, but by 1524 had been renamed High Street to reflect its increased importance.' I love saying Forum Porocrum, its fun to say and I imagine most people will refer to the venue as just 'The Forum' which is pretty cool. I think as good a reason as any to call the venue that. After racking my brains trying to come up with a name for the bar I have a lot of sympathy for the people who named the venue The Big Difference previously.

Goals

First goal: £8,000
This money will allow me to take on the lease for the venue, change the signage and branding, and repaint the front doors to a beautiful porky pink!

Stretch Goal: £20,000
With this I will be able to update the old furniture in the main bar that's on it's last legs, repaint the walls in the bar and finally fix the hand dryer in the men's toilets (ifykyk)

Super Crazy Stretch Goal: £40,000
I am not expecting to get even close to this, but if we did.... I would be able to reopen the roof terrace, rip out the old bar upstairs, replace it with a pool table and fix up the green room for artists.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 25th August 2026 at 2:53pm