Community shares
Capital at risk — please be aware of the risks associated with investing in community shares.
Sister Midnight: The Final Push
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
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Aim
Build a home for local music, community power and shared ownership in Catford.
Our Vision
Sister Midnight exists to create community-led cultural spaces in Lewisham that champion local music and bring people together.
Right now, we’re transforming a former working men’s club in Catford town centre into a community-owned grassroots music venue - a space for gigs, DJs, collaboration, learning, and connection.
Against a backdrop of economic struggle and political division, community and cultural spaces are more than just buildings; they are lifelines of mutual support and anchors of solidarity that sustain communities. Our ambition is to build a venue that strengthens community cohesion, creates opportunity, and helps resist the displacement and exclusion that too often comes with regeneration.
Our Target
*UPDATE* In the first 3 weeks of our campaign, we raised 80% of our initial £75K target, thanks to an incredible show of support from our community, and from Music Venue Trust and Co-operative UK's who provided match funding against every investment.
Whilst we've been celebrating everything we’ve achieved so far, we’ve also been reminded that, as anyone who’s ever taken on an old building knows, they have a habit of surprising you when you least expect it. The recent heavy rainfall has caused a small flat roof on the far side of the building to collapse. It’s not catastrophic, but it does mean we’re facing repair costs we hadn’t budgeted for.
As a result we're now increasing our target to £105K to help us cover the additional costs of the roof repair, as well as building up our contingency fund to make sure we're better equipped for the next expensive surprise the building throws our way.
Co-operative UK's Energy Efficiency Sharematch will continue to match investments from our community, so every £100 invested will unlock an extra £50 of grant funding.
If we raise our total of £105K... we'll be able to move ahead with the small roof repairs, and instruct our builders to start the next package of works at the end of March 2026, which includes electrics, soundproofing, plumbing and more!
If we raise more than £105K... then any additional funds will cover things like venue equipment, furnishing the space, and building our bar. We're currently applying for grants to cover a lot of these things, but if we can raise the money from the community then it will mean we eliminate the risk of not being successful with the grants we're applying for, and can get the venue open sooner!
So if you're in a position to invest more than the minimum amount, we will be very grateful for as much support as you can give us.
About Sister Midnight
Sister Midnight began in 2018 as a grassroots venue in Deptford, built to support emerging artists and local scenes. When the pandemic forced us to close in 2020, we didn’t give up — we re-imagined what Sister Midnight could be.
In 2021, we became a Community Benefit Society, moving to a community ownership model that puts local people in control of their cultural spaces.
Since then, we’ve:
- Built a community of 1,100+ members
- Raised £365,000+ through community shares
- Secured a 16-year lease on the Brookdale Club in Catford
- Launched Sister Midnight FM, our community radio station with 80+ resident DJs
Our work is shaped by a collective of members, workers, board directors and a community committee, bringing together musicians, organisers, creatives, fundraisers, legal experts and local residents.
What Are Community Shares - and Why Join?
Community shares are a way for local people to collectively own and shape the spaces they care about.
By investing, you:
- Become a member and co-owner of Sister Midnight
- Get a real say in how the venue is run and developed
- Support a model that prioritises culture, community and social value
Community shares are withdrawable (subject to rules), may earn modest interest, and — like any investment — carry risk. But more than anything, they’re a way to turn belief into action.
The money raised through this share offer will directly support the next stage of renovation, helping us open the venue and bring this long-held vision to life.
Solidarity Shares
We are making Solidarity Shares available for anyone who cannot afford the standard share price of £100.
We do not have strict eligibility criteria for Solidarity Shares. Instead, we trust members of our community to use their own judgement about whether the standard share price is affordable for them.
People may choose a Solidarity Share for many reasons, including (but not limited to): receiving benefits, earning below the London Living Wage, or facing a high cost of living due to caring responsibilities, disability, or long-term health conditions. You do not need to explain or justify your circumstances to us.
This approach reflects our belief that community ownership should not be limited by income. Solidarity Shares ensure that people from a wide range of backgrounds can take part in shaping Sister Midnight, have a voice in our organisation, and share in collective ownership — regardless of their financial means.
By offering Solidarity Shares, we aim to remove economic barriers to participation and make our membership as inclusive and representative of our community as possible.
Sister Midnight's Community Share Offer
- Minimum share subscription per person: £100 or £25 for a Solidarity Share
- Maximum share subscription per person: £100,000
- Maximum share subscription per organisation (which is not a society): £100,000
- Interest of 3% paid annually from Year 2 onwards
- Withdrawal of capital targeted from Year 4 onwards
- EIS Tax Relief of 30%
- Minimum Target to be Raised: £75,000
Opening date: 31st January 2026 - Closing date: 31st March 2026
If you believe music should be local, inclusive and community-owned; buy a share, become a member, build Sister Midnight with us.
Essential reading before you invest:
Energy Efficiency Sharematch has provided £35,000 of match funding
Music Venue Trust has provided £30,000 of match funding
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 31st August 2026 at 11:59am