Help keep CAMP alive

The short version

CAMP, Margate's beloved queer bar and community space, needs your help to stay open. We're facing unexpected challenges including unfair business rates and rising costs. Your support will help us continue providing a vital safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community in Thanet and beyond.

Our story continues...

Remember us? In 2022, five friends threw their life savings together to create the queer space Margate needed. Thanks to your incredible support, we opened our doors and created something truly special at 125 Northdown Road.

For the past few years, CAMP has been exactly what we dreamed of – a home away from home for our community. On our opening night, Sophie said that she wanted for queer joy to radiate from our window for everyone to see, and we think we’ve delivered on that. We've hosted countless nights and events for the whole LGBTQIA+ community - everything from drag shows to karaoke sessions, books clubs to over 50s socials, fundraisers for charities to queer parent meet-ups - creating those magical moments where everyone feels free to be themselves.

Why we need your help now

It's time for complete transparency: despite the love and support we receive (and we receive a lot of it - thank you), CAMP is struggling to stay afloat. Here's why:

• We're battling unfair business rate valuations from the VOA, leading to excessive demands from Thanet council while we dispute the assessment
• Our ongoing dispute with SSE over electricity bills is putting additional strain on our resources
• The cost of stock has risen significantly, and we're doing everything we can to keep our drinks affordable
• We're committed to paying above living wage and ensuring fair and quick compensation for our performers – principles we won't compromise on
• Being on Northdown Road means we face seasonal challenges, with winter months being particularly tough due to reduced tourism

The reality check 

We want to be completely honest with you:

• None of the five CAMP co-founders have taken any money from the business - not a single penny
• We haven't even been able to repay our own initial investments
• Despite our best efforts and careful management, we're struggling to break even

Transparent figures

• The five co-owners have invested £59,500 into CAMP to date and haven’t paid ourselves anything back (we aren’t complaining about this, we just want to be transparent that we essentially do this work as volunteers and that we aren’t taking money out the bar)
• We have paid back £20,000 (approx) in loans since we opened (any profit we’ve made over the past few years has gone back to these third parties)
• Our average monthly revenues and costs are £10,000. There’s variation month to month, with the summer propping up the quieter months, but on average we need to bring in £10k a month to keep the doors open. We just about break even, but we have zero flexibility for the unexpected events we’ve been juggling the past few months.
• As for the plan going forward, we spent £5,000 of our own money to acquire our later licence, which should help over the next year; we have stripped out all excess costs we feasibly can; we are launching a membership/patron scheme to help with some recurring revenue; we are expanding our private hire opportunities; and we are looking to do some regular bigger events/fundraisers to stay open. 

Here’s how you can help

New membership model

We're launching a membership scheme starting at just £3 per month. For more details, you can find how to subscribe here. This is perfect for:

• Our highly valued and loved regulars (benefits include discounted drinks, early access to tickets and CAMP Member meet-ups)
• Those who want to support but can't visit regularly
• Friends of CAMP from further afield
• Anyone who believes in the importance of maintaining queer spaces

All membership funds will go directly to CAMP Community CIC, ensuring we can continue providing a safe community space for everyone who needs it.

Crowdfunding target: £12,000

Your support will help us:

• Navigate through our current challenges
• Keep our doors open through the quieter winter months
• Continue providing fair wages and maintaining affordable prices
• Keep creating the inclusive, joyful space our community deserves

Why this matters 

CAMP isn't just another bar – we're a vital part of Margate's LGBTQIA+ community. In a world where queer spaces are disappearing, your support helps ensure that CAMP remains a beacon of inclusivity and celebration.

Our promise

We promise to:

• Continue providing a safe space for everyone
• Maintain our commitment to fair pay and affordable prices
• Keep fostering community, creativity, and connection
• Stay transparent about our challenges and progress

Every pound you donate helps keep our lights on, our music playing and our doors open to all who need us. Whether you can contribute financially, become a member, or simply share our story – your support means everything to us.

Together, we can ensure CAMP remains the vibrant, inclusive space that Margate needs. Thank you for being part of our story. 

💖 Sophie, Jess, Jesse, Derek and Olivia