Last week, the Bread and Roses, located on the city’s Ebrington Street, launched a fundraising plea on Crowdfunder to raise the capital.
The pub, which operates as a community interest company (CIC), said sustained pressure from energy prices, business rates, inflation and National Insurance payments had caused its debts to rise “beyond a sustainable level”.
“The hospitality industry is struggling at the moment”, the Crowdfunder page said.
Vibrant community
“We are at the heart of a culturally diverse and vibrant, if challenged community.
“Bread and Roses’ purpose is not profit, instead we want to make a contribution to the cultural life of Plymouth and beyond, which is why we invest the majority of the profit into creating activity groups and events that are free for the whole community to enjoy.
“We need your kind donations to keep us afloat, so we can continue to provide a grass roots venue for the performing and visual arts to be enjoyed with good beer in a friendly pub.”
The Bread & Roses Community Arts Hub CIC was formed by locals in 2013 and took over the pub, which had previously been closed, in the same year. Its goal was to restore the venue and make it a thriving hub for the community.
Continued strain
It currently employs nine people and hosts a wide range of regular events and community groups, including poetry nights, craft fairs, comedy nights, open mic nights and art exhibitions.
At the time of publication, the Bread and Roses, formerly the Trafalgar Inn, had raised £3,734 and had just 35 days left to raise the remainder of its target. Without support, the venue urged it could be forced to close for good.
The appeal comes amid continued strain on the hospitality sector, with community-run pubs among those most exposed to rising overheads, despite the policy changes on business rates announced by the Government last week.
