Lowestoft grassroots music venue owner, Ben Hampton, is trying to raise £13,000 to save The Globe
The founder of a grassroots music venue is fighting to save his business.
Ben Hampton, 33, who was left nearly penniless after pouring his savings into The Globe in Lowestoft, is trying to raise £13,000 to keep it open.
He said: "Right now we're trying to make enough money to at least keep us open until the new year so we can finish our bookings and obligations, with the hope to turn the business into something special.
"We offer something Lowestoft just doesn't have - a proper grassroots music venue for smaller bands. Without us, people would have to travel further afield, to Norwich or Cambridge.
"The venue needs money to not only stay open, but to allow us to better promote our events, and to function more effectively as a venue."
The Globe, in High Street, reopened in July, on the site of a historic pub of the same name.
It hosts artists from various genres, including jazz, blues, punk and indie rock, and was set up to bring in musicians that would typically not play in the seaside town.
Music is played on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and a model making group meets up there once a month.
It has hosted both local talent, such as harmonica player Paul Gillings and Grace Wells, or artists from other counties, like Yorkshire-based YouTuber James Hargreaves.
Other projects planned for the venue include a rock school for young people and a music club for older people with learning difficulties.
Most shows at The Globe are currently put on for free, with any money coming from the bar.
Ben's ambitions are to make tickets as cheap as possible, while also bringing the price of drinks down to match nearby pubs while bringing in bands from across the UK.
He doesn't take a wage for his work at The Globe, so he'd also like to hire someone to ease his workload.
He is occasionally aided by his girlfriend, but her disability means she cannot work too much.
Donations for the fund-raiser came in from artists and residents, and Ben only wishes for the venue to pay for itself.
They have also donated equipment to the venue or offered to play shows for nothing.
On top of running the venue, Ben works a full-time job, with a second in the pipeline, to pay his bills at home.
He had no prior experience running his own business, and learned everything from scratch.
He said: "If we do start making more money we can also start booking more prominent artists.
"We also need to pay for a £3,500 PRS licence, which will allow us to play music three time a week.
"My current vision for The Globe is a music orientated community asset - something that benefits the local area and music scene."
Anyone who wishes to donate or lean more can contact Ben via email at benpaulhampton1984@gmail.com.
