The Globe – The Next 10 Years

Aim: The Globe celebrated 10 years as a community-owned music venue in 2024. Now it needs to make improvements to be sustainable for the next 10.

Funds needed to fix the floor

We need your help again. Soon after the end of our successful Crowdfunding campaign, we discovered, in dramatic circumstances, that the floor in the first-floor bar needs to be strengthened.

We have a costed plan for getting The Globe back to providing music on both floors, keeping everyone happy and safe. We are asking all our friends and supporters to help raise the additional funds we need to complete the work.

When the floor started moving with the music at a gig at that end of March we immediately closed the room. We got a structural engineer to investigate, and we received free advice from a building surveyor. They concluded that the joists needed to be reinforced to meet modern standards and this was a major piece of work (ie, expensive). 

We have received estimates from three builders and have chosen the most cost effective one, which is £27,600.

We made an insurance claim but this was unsuccessful.

We are applying for a small grant from the Music Venues Trust’s emergency fund and we are looking at other sources of finance. Even if these are successful there will still be a funding gap. WE NEED YOUR HELP. PLEASE DONATE.

Thank you to everyone who has already made a donation. Please encourage others to donate. Also thank you to all the musicians and promoters who have understood when we have had to cancel or reschedule their bookings. Thank you to all our customers who continue to come to the many events on the ground floor. 

It’s important to say that the Crowdfunding campaign we ran in February and March was a great success and The Globe is already benefiting from the money raised. We have paid off our overdraft and have cash in the bank. Our electricity usage will be significantly reduced by the changes we are making to the layout of the cellar and the cooling systems. The original Crowdfunder plan included improving facilities in the first-floor room, and so we will put some of money raised towards the cost of reinforcing the floor.

Read on for details of our original Crowdfunding project.

Our Story

Ten years ago, The Globe was a failing pub. In 2014, Jazz Coop stepped in and transformed it into a community-owned, grassroots music venue and learning centre. Since then, we’ve built a space where people come together to enjoy an incredible variety of live music, club nights, and workshops.

When the pandemic hit, we refused to let our community be cut off from live music. While most venues were closed, we livestreamed performances across genres—from jazz to folk, rock to classical. These performances helped keep musicians afloat and brought joy to people isolated by lockdown.

We’ve come a long way, and it’s been through the support of our volunteers, members, and the local community that we’ve stayed open and strong. We’ve even picked up some well-deserved recognition along the way:

• Jazz Venue of the Year – Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2022
• Special Award for Lockdown Innovation – Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021
• Small Community Co-op of the Year – Co-operatives UK 2021
• Best Live Music Venue – The Newcastle Awards 2018

Today, we’re proud to host over 30 gigs a month and provide workshops for musicians, songwriters, and dancers. But most of all, The Globe is a home for our community—a place where music connects us all.

The Challenge

Like most venues, we rely on ticket sales, events, and the support of our wonderful community to cover our costs. It’s been a tough time for everyone, and while we’ve managed to stay afloat thanks to our volunteers and members, we face ongoing challenges. Energy costs have doubled. We’re always working hard to keep up with necessary repairs and improvements to the venue, but it’s been a constant struggle.

Our £10,000 overdraft is a familiar reality, and it’s preventing us from making some important decisions that could help us grow and serve you better.

Why We Need Your Support

The music venue sector as a whole is under pressure. In 2024, the Music Venue Trust reported that more than 40% of UK venues ran at a loss, and in the last 2 years more than 160 shut down. Despite the hundreds of thousands of events taking place across the country, the sector as a whole barely broke even. Without vital grants and donations, the music scene would be in real trouble.

We want to make sure that The Globe remains a vital part of this community and continues to offer a space for live music, learning, and connection. That’s why we need your help. With your support, we can:

Our Crowdfunder Goals

Phase 1: £10k – Stabilise Our Finances
Clear the £10,000 overdraft and provide us with the breathing room to make the best decisions for the venue’s future. This will help us continue supporting emerging and grassroots music for the next 10 years.

Phase 2: £10k – Improve Our Venue and Reduce Costs

If we achieve the £10k required to complete Phase 1 additional donations will be used to fund our Phase 2 goal.
Your donations will help us upgrade key areas:

• Reduce our carbon footprint by installing energy-efficient cellar airflow cooler and fridges, reducing electricity bills by around 30%.
• A project to lower heating costs, helping us become more sustainable.
• Upgrade our stage lighting to improve the experience for both artists and audiences.

Phase 3: £10k – Expand Our Upstairs Venue and Terrace

If we successfully raise enough funds to complete Phase 1 and 2, additional donations will be used to fund Phase 3.

Help us fund the structural assessment (~£1k) and subsequent work to extend our upstairs space, which will improve facilities and open up new revenue streams.

How You Can Help

Whether you can donate £5 or £500, every penny helps. By contributing to our campaign, you’re helping secure The Globe’s future and ensuring that this beloved community venue can continue for years to come.

Knats