We're still collecting donations
On the 6th February 2021 we'd raised £24,147 with 444 supporters in 76 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Don't Let The Lamb Close Down
by The Lamb, Holloway in London, England, United Kingdom
Total raised £24,177
raised so far446
supportersThe Lamb pub is seeking support from the community to overcome covid19's impact, and in doing so, offering some unique rewards to supporters
by The Lamb, Holloway in London, England, United Kingdom
New stretch target
We are extraordinarily grateful to everyone who helped us reach our initial target of £15,000. That will mean that we can pay the current crop of bills. But due to the fact that we are now in tier 4 and have been closed down again for the foreseeable future, we have set a stretch target of £22,500. It costs at least £1,000 per week to have an empty pub sat there closed.
As it has with so many other businesses 2020 has taken its toll on the Lamb.
We started the year in a reasonably good place. Given the instability of Britain in these Brexity times we were not overwhelmingly optimistic but we felt the pub was popular and enjoyed by regulars and new punters alike. We’d improved our keg beer offering so that as well as being a friendly local we would have something for the beer aficionado. We loved working with our local breweries to bring customers new tastes and old favourites. On match days we welcomed our lovely Arsenal supporters - there was never any trouble - and we used to look forward to welcoming back familiar faces. We had regular Irish folk and blues sessions every week. Dave the Keys tinkled our ivories every Thursday for a traditional sing-a-long, and we were anticipating more live music in 2020 having got our sound limiting system sorted for the sake of our neighbours.
We knew that the pub was a happy, welcoming place and felt that as long as we nurtured that we couldn’t go far wrong.
And then Covid.
During the first lockdown we kept a low profile. People did suggest crowdfunding but it didn’t seem appropriate at that point because we had a grant for the government which we first put towards rent and furlough arrangements for staff. Of course we had no profit but by the end of June we thought we might be out of the worst of it.
We didn’t go for off sales in the first lockdown because we felt that the overriding public health message was to keep our heads down and social distance as far as possible. We felt that’s what the government help was for and that it wasn’t very consistent with trying to recoup losses. We cautiously reopened with much reduced capacity at the end of July with the whole Lamb team working incredibly hard to put Covid-secure measures in place while still retaining an essence of ‘Lambiness’. (Picture below is from last New Year's Eve and not reflective of our stringent post-covid measures!).
The summer was quiet because it always is – and very sensibly people were having their drinks in the open air on Highbury Fields. ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ didn’t help us as a wet-led pub. But just as things were beginning to perk up again Covid levels started rising and new waves of restrictions were imposed on us every few weeks. Our workload increased but customer numbers dwindled. We know that until the end people were trying as hard as they could to support us (and enjoy themselves) – by coming in for an early drink – and we were as busy as we safely be on the nights before new restrictions arose. But it was becoming impossible to socialise with friends Covid-compliantly.
And now we find ourselves in the second lock-down struggling to make ends meet with the pub fighting for survival. But we know that there’s a huge amount of love and goodwill out there. People want to help and we need to get creative….
Rewards
This project offered rewards
£20 or more
Gambolling Again: a Lamb Guided Walk (more dates)
Join the Lamb's landlord, Ade Clarke, a CIGA qualified Islington Guide, on a walk around Highbury. From the history of highwaymen on Holloway Road to the unlikely venue for the first Spandau Ballet gig, taking in Holloway's Irish heritage and of, course the world famous Arsenal Football grounds along the way and much more! Ending up at the pub with a pint of your favourite on the house. What better way to spend the afternoon?
£5 or more
The pint you might have bought
In normal times you would have bought yourself a lovely pint (or two). Could you see yourself spending the same the help us out now?
£10 or more
£10 Mystery Raffle
Spare us a tenner and we'll put your name in the running for the mystery raffle prizes. What will they be? We don't know yet. But they could be great.
£10 or more
Lamb tote bags
Cut a dash on your trip to the supermarket with our handy Lamb shopper.
£20 or more
Low ABV choices from your Local Pub
6 different cans or bottles of low ABV beer with a focus on indie breweries and a Lamb tote bag to carry them away in. COLLECTION FROM PUB ONLY
In the past year the Lamb has been proud to widen its low ABV offering of tasty beers at 0.5% and below including pale ales, IPAs, stout and lager. Just before lockdown we were researching even more. We know they're good - we drink them ourselves!
£25 or more
Lamb T-Shirt
Be the envy of your fashionista friends by sporting one of our stylish Lamb T-Shirts. Designs to be released shortly.
£25 or more
Local choices from your local pub
6 different cans of beer from 6 different local indie breweries and a Lamb tote bag to carry them away in. COLLECTION FROM PUB ONLY
£25 or more
Gala Evening at The Lamb
Dress to impress at a glamorous evening at THE place to be seen in Highbury. A glass of fizz (or a pint of beer) on arrival, a photo wall, music, special guest stars, a raffle, canapes, a goodie bag to take home with you and more, much more. It will all be jolly good fun.
Date to be confirmed - when we can do this is dependent on the situation with regard to covid.
£30 or more
A Trip To The Brewery in the Lamb Charabanc
Come on a magic-ale mystery tour! We love our independent local breweries and a few of them have agreed to let some Lambreros visit their brewery to sample some beer and have a tour. Obviously when we can do this is VERY dependent on the situation with regard to covid, but the plan is to take groups of 5 or 6 on a trip from the pub to a North London brewery or two, and then back to The Lamb for a round on us. Full details/dates to be confirmed
£100 or more
Commission a local artist (@art_by_eq)
Local artist & Lamb regular, Edward Quigley, will take up to five bespoke commissions for framed A4 ink sketches (perhaps your home, favourite building, a special someone - whatever you like (subject to Ed agreeing!)). Mounted in high quality wooden frame (black or white). In time for Christmas if wanted.
We bought Ed's beautiful sketch of the pub at a charity auction and we love it. Ed's work on instagram can be found at @art_by_eq.
£175 or more
A Private Gambol: Lamb Guided Walk (for a group)
The Lamb Guided Walk - but just for you and your friends. Get together with up to 12 of you and Ade will take you on your own private Gambol taking in the sights of Highbury. At a mutually convenient date.
£20 or more
Gambolling Through The Fields: a Lamb Guided Walk
Join the Lamb's landlord, Ade Clarke, a CIGA qualified Islington Guide, on a walk around Highbury. From the history of highwaymen on Holloway Road to the unlikely venue for the first Spandau Ballet gig, taking in Holloway's Irish heritage and of, course the world famous Arsenal Football grounds along the way and much more! Ending up at the pub with a pint of your favourite on the house. What better way to spend the afternoon?
£75 or more
Your golden hour round the old joanna
You and five mates get to choose all the songs* played by Dave the Keys for an hour. Table reserved, we'll print off the lyrics, stand you a drink and then it's 20% off for the whole night. Before AND after.
*from his repertoire of 3,000 songs.
£100 or more
Custom made foot pedal
You may remember Patrick who used to work behind the bar. He left us to persue his dreams of building and repairing musical instruments and effects pedals for guitars. He has kindly offered to build a custom foot pedal for the crowdfunder. It's a clone of the Boss Blues Driver, but is put together by his own fair hands. Rock on!
£200 or more
Your own keg of Five Points XPA
Paler and hoppier than their legendary Five Points Pale and very seasonable at 4% abv, XPA is a permanent line at the pub. Here's the chance to have a keg's worth (50 pints) of this delicious beer waiting for you behind the bar. This is a 20% discount from prices on the tap.