Renowned heavy metal pub The Gryphon launch crowdfunder

Renowned heavy metal pub The Gryphon launch crowdfunder

Posted on: 07 Jul 2020

The pub has launched a crowdfunder as part of the nationwide #SaveOurVenues campaign.

 

The Gryphon has become the latest Bristol venue to launch a crowdfunding campaign, with concern growing that the longevity of the coronavirus lockdown could put the popular heavy metal pub out of business for good.

 

Owner John Ashby has appealed to supporters of the pub and the Bristol public to donate if they can, allowing the pub to continue and finalise essential maintenance and repair work during lockdown, support staff and install the necessary social distancing measures to allow for safe reopening in the future.

 

 

Despite pubs getting the go-ahead from the government to open last weekend, The Gryphon's doors remained firmly closed. Sharing his decision in a post on Facebook, John explained that he believed it would have been irresponsible to open amid ongoing safety concerns.

 

"The safety of my household, the well-being of my staff, and making sure you folks aren’t put at unnecessary risk is paramount," he said. "Staying at home, washing your hands, and wearing masks in public, are the simplest measures we can do to reduce risks to yourselves and others."

 

He went on to explain that, while The Gryphon is in a more comfortable position than many other venues across Bristol, the last three months have taken a huge toll financially, putting the pub's future in the balance.

 

"With reasonable landlords, and government grants, I have been able to make it through the past three months, whilst keeping on top of ongoing overheads. My weekly deliveries have also helped with keeping a balance to pay my furloughed staff.

 

"Inevitably, I too have reached the point where I need to ask for help," he continued. "My landlords can only offer so much, as they have at least 8 other pubs that are dormant. The government grant was useful in the short-term, but that too has been spent on clearing creditors going into lockdown, and ongoing overheads."

The Gryphon owner, John Ashby, outside the pub in 2019.

With that in mind, John launched a crowdfunder for The Gryphon on Wednesday 1 July, and received an overwhelming response that saw more than a quarter of the £20,000 target raised in just two days. 

 

Since then, the crowdfunder has surpassed the £7,500 mark, with an exclusive #SaveOurVenues t-shirt available to those who make a donation of £20 or more.

 

With the coronavirus crisis taking a toll on venues of all sizes across Bristol and the rest of the UK, The Gryphon joins The Old England, The Lousiana, The Exchange, Seamus O'Donnell's and The Mother's Ruin in seeking public support to safeguard for the future.

 

Launched as part of the Music Venue Trust's nationwide #SaveOurVenues campaign, the crowdfunding pages have been set up out of necessity, with an estimated 556 grassroots venues across the country at "imminent risk" of closure due to the coronavirus crisis.

 

 

The Gryphon has built a reputation as Bristol's leading heavy metal pub since John took it over in 2010, and has established itself as a genuine hub for the heavy metal scene both locally and across the UK.

 

Speaking to 365Bristol back in October, he said "I love beer, and I love heavy metal - all I’m doing is creating the kind of place that if this isn’t what I did for a living, this is the kind of place that I’d want to come to.

 

“It’s just an extension of me, really. It’s friendly, it’s open, it’s honest - and it’s a safe space to be.”

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.