Our Story: Building a real Safe Creative Sanctuary in the Heart of Bristol
By the Community. For the Future. Forever.
Hey, I’m Ray (Ridwan)
Four years ago, I came to Bristol from Bangladesh as an international student—with nothing but a dream and a deep love for creativity and community. I am queer, and have multiple disabilities I struggled with most of my life, and could not find my tribe; until now. I fell in love with this city. With its soul. Its people. Its music. Its defiance. I and the family I got together built 395 with bare hands, used equipment, reclaimed furniture & materials, and a vision to create a safe, vibrant, grassroots cultural space—not just for myself, but for all of us.
Club 395 (formerly 395 Studios) is now Bristol’s last truly grassroots DIY multi-arts venue. Co-directed with Kwazi, a born-and-bred Bristol rapper who has spent the past decade making music, nurturing new talent, we’ve transformed a historic old malthouse unit into a thriving home for music, art, learning, healing and joy. It’s a place where:
• Students run their first DJ nights
• Queer creatives feel truly safe
• Artists produce their first music videos
• Local brands launch fashion collections
• Workshops change lives
• And lifelong friendships begin
But now we’re at risk of losing it all.
Due to unfair licensing restrictions, noise complaints, and the rising cost of living, we’ve racked up £60,000+ of debt trying to afford the space, soundproof it, and legal. Our monthly costs are over £7,500—and that doesn’t even include wages. We’ve been pushing through with passion alone, but now we urgently need help.
This Crowdfunder isn’t just about survival—it’s about evolution.
We’re not just trying to “save a venue.” We’re trying to build Bristol’s first self-sustaining creative hub, with the power to uplift the community through long-term income-generating spaces, workshops, and real employment.
With your donations, we’ll:
1. Keep the lights on and pay off urgent debts,
• £7,500
That’s just to survive another month.
2. Finish building our new income-generating spaces:
• Creative Café: A place for community meetups, workshops, and education.
• AI & Digital Skills Hub: Empowering creatives with accessible, ethical AI tools & training.
• Hair, Nail & Tattoo Studios: Run by known local artists to provide beauty, wellness and work, as well as training.
• Rehearsal & DJ Studios: To help fund our public events while giving artists affordable space.
• Clothing Rail: A retail space dedicated to up-and-coming Bristol brands and designers.
3. Launch our 2025 community programme:
Low cost classes in DJing, videography, music production, fashion, AI, and more—delivered by the very creatives who grew up in this city.
We’re not asking for charity—we’re offering value.
Support us, and you can unlock amazing perks (see reward tiers below):
• Free studio hours
• DJ lessons
• Rehearsal space
- Free 5 hour venue hire with event production support
• Limited edition branded clothing
• Free Coffees every week
- Free Haircuts every month
• Even your name on our wall as a founding patron
Let’s not let another community space be lost to gentrification, debt, or red tape.
Let’s prove that when the system fails us, we build our own systems. That when creative spaces are under threat, community steps in.
If this space has ever meant something to you—or if you believe Bristol needs spaces like this—please share or support us today. Even £5 helps us keep going.
Thank you.
With love and solidarity,
Ray & the 395/Club395 Family
@threeninefive.bristol | www.395studios.co.uk