MUSIC venues across Gwent have signed up to a nationwide initiative set up to keep places where live music is performed and enjoyed from closing as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

All bars and pubs - many of which regularly host live music - have been required to close during the pandemic. And, with no end in sight, some are at risk of shutting their doors for good.

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In an attempt to protect venues, the Music Venue Trust has launched a campaign, aiming to raise £1 million to help venues across the UK.

A number of Gwent venues have signed up, including Le Pub in Newport, The Dragonffli in Pontypool, and The Patriot in Crumlin.

South Wales Argus:

(Sam Dabb, manager of Le Pub and Wales co-ordinator for the Music Venue Trust. Picture: Sam Dabb.)

Sam Dabb, manager of Le Pub and Welsh co-ordinator for the Music Venue Trust, said: "Live music venues are facing an uncertain future.

"They are currently closed with no income but their liabilities remain. They still have to pay rent, insurance, utilities and other bills.

"Le Pub is currently running two separate crowdfunders.

"One is reward based and the other is part of the #saveourvenues campaign.

"The important thing is, we don’t want free money. We want you to buy a t-shirt or a bag or pay to watch your favourite artist live from their homes.

"Many venues, Le Pub included, have set targets for less than maximum allowed as that is what we feel we need to secure our future.

"Any money over that total will be donated to Music Venue Trust so they can help other venues."

Nick Byrne, owner of the Dragonffli in Pontypool, said the venue needed to raise about £20,000 to get them through to the end of the year.

“It’s a difficult time for everyone at the moment,” he said. “It’s hard enough running a venue, but now no-one knows what is going to happen – whether we will have any events this year or whether it’s not going to be until 2021.

“I closed at the beginning of March. We closed early as you could see how badly this would hit, and we wanted to protect our customers, performers, staff and our families.

South Wales Argus:

(Crisis Talks performing at The Dragonffli in 2019. Picture:The Dragonffli)

“There are some grants and funding from the government, but they are quite slow to come through.

“We’ve had rates exemptions but there are still bills to pay, and we will lose a lot of stock as well.

“If we are able to raise more, then we can distribute it to other venues through the Music Venue Trust.

“The Trust have been a big help to everyone, they’ve been very supportive.”

Mr Bryne has set up a fundraiser for the venue.

Angela Draycott, owner of The Patriot in Crumlin, signed up to the Trust about six months ago, and said their support had been invaluable.

"When we heard that we were going to have to shut we did so straight away," she said. "We had to pour away £1,500 worth of beer on the Monday after.

"I sat with my head in my hands and burst into tears. I didn’t know if I wanted to keep going.

South Wales Argus:

(The Patriot in Crumlin. Picture: Angela Draycott.)

"For me the turning point was I received an email from the Music Venue Trust saying there was funding available from the Welsh Government and offering support on how to get it.

"I was on the phone with them everyday, and it helped me realise I didn’t have to do this all by myself.”

Mrs Draycott set up a fundraiser to help keep the venue afloat.

"I was reluctant to set it up as people are struggling at the moment," she said. "I worked out if we could raise £5,000 that would get us through the next five months. It just goes to show how people recognise us as a community hub.

"We have to come together. Music venues offer so much to the community, and to local bands as well.”

To find out more about the campaign, visit saveourvenues.co.uk