A live music venue that “closed for the last time” could be about to reopen – but a huge fundraising drive will be needed to keep it there for good.
After talks with its brewer, the tenants at The Horns in Watford appear to have fresh hope they can keep the business going.
But it will be reliant on raising tens of thousands of pounds after The Horns admitted ending up in debt had resulted in its closure.
Read more: The Horns announces it has 'closed for the last time'
The Horns, which has played host to thousands of musicians over the last couple of decades, announced the “heartbreaking” news it had closed on October 30, citing financial problems.
The announcement generated what manager Jane Giles described as an “extraordinary response” from bands, pubgoers, and the rest of the community – and she vowed to keep fighting.
Read more: The Horns says it is still 'fighting' after closure announcement
Following the latest meeting with the building owners, The Horns has launched a Go Fund Me page, setting a target of £50,000.
The Horns wrote: “We now have to do a huge fundraiser to get us up and running again (hopefully very soon) to enable us to carry on all our work with local musicians, charities and bands. Live music is vital in so many ways.
“In addition to this, we are going to be holding some fundraising ticketed events with BIG tributes included, and 100% of tickets sales are being donated to the venue to help raise our total.”
Read more: Former landlord at The Horns looks back after closure
Read more: The Horns pub best memories amid uncertain future
The Go Fund Me page added: “Over the last few years, the pub has struggled and then Covid hit, I'm not sure how we managed to get through Covid, but we did.
“Now the world seems to have gone mad with people's change in habits, and energy bills have over doubled; we have ended up in debt resulting in our closure.
“I firmly believe with the power of the people, our local community, our wonderful bands, and our customers' continued support, we can make this work – love always from Horns Watford.”
It is the second fundraising page launched by The Horns in recent years following one in partnership with the Music Venue Trust in 2020, which raised just over £8,000.
The latest fundraiser can be found here.
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