Leeds bar Oporto joins national #SaveOurVenues campaign as it fights to stay open

Leeds bar Oporto has joined a national campaign to save gig spaces as it calls for more support for independent venues.
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The popular venue on Call Lane, which is owned by Leeds bar-group Akito, is facing closure as it struggles to cover the mounting costs of bills which have not been supported by Government funding.

It has joined the #SaveOurVenues campaign, launched by the Music Venue Trust (MVT), which found that 554 of its 670 member venues are under threat of "imminent closure" as a result of Covid-19.

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The initiative is lobbying for more Government support and encourages venues to offer live streamed gigs and events in exchange for donations.

Oporto's event manager Nick Simcock, pictured shortly before the bar's closure in March (Photo: Tony Johnson)Oporto's event manager Nick Simcock, pictured shortly before the bar's closure in March (Photo: Tony Johnson)
Oporto's event manager Nick Simcock, pictured shortly before the bar's closure in March (Photo: Tony Johnson)

Oporto has launched a Crowdfunder page for donations as it streams live gigs, interviews and events to keep bringing "a little bit of fun" to the people of Leeds.

It has also launched new merchandise with Leeds-based brand Awesome Merch, selling t-shirts, bags and mugs with Oporto imagery and tongue-in-cheek lockdown reopening rules.

The bar's event manager, Nick Simcock, said: “We liked the idea of rather than asking for money, which feels a bit trite at this time when everyone is struggling, we would give something in exchange for donations.

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“We’ve hosted virtual parties, interviews with former staff members, live sets and even quizzes. People who love and support the venue donate thirty minutes of their time to entertain or share stories and if people enjoy it, they can donate for the price of a pint or a ticket.

Yungblud performing at Oporto during Live at Leeds festival. Venues are unlikely to host gigs for another few months (Photo: Andrew Benge)Yungblud performing at Oporto during Live at Leeds festival. Venues are unlikely to host gigs for another few months (Photo: Andrew Benge)
Yungblud performing at Oporto during Live at Leeds festival. Venues are unlikely to host gigs for another few months (Photo: Andrew Benge)

“If they can’t afford it, they might share it and remember the bar. It felt much closer to what we do at Oporto, it’s a little bit of fun in exchange for support.”

Oporto has reached nearly £3,000 of its £10,000 target and Nick said the support for the venue has been "amazing".

If venues reach their Crowdfunder targets, everything above the amount needed will be donated to the MVT Crisis Fund and shared out to other independent venues that may still be struggling.

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Nick added: "It's the idea of not feeling alone in this. We are an independent music venue, but there are more than 800 others in the country in the same situation.

Oporto has launched a Crowdfunder page for donations as it streams live gigs, interviews and eventsOporto has launched a Crowdfunder page for donations as it streams live gigs, interviews and events
Oporto has launched a Crowdfunder page for donations as it streams live gigs, interviews and events

“Having strength in numbers helps to lobby the Government, but also to reassure each other that you’re not the only music venue pulling your hair out about how to manage with 10% capacity!”

The MVT has gathered £1.2 million towards its Save Our Venues campaign in little over a fortnight. Some 11,000 people and organisations have donated.

Without help, the UK gig industry is at risk of collapsing even if venues can reopen at limited capacity, according to the trust's chief executive Mark Davyd.

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He said: "This network supports around 100,000 musicians, if you remove 82 per cent of capacity, you have to remove 82 per cent of places musicians have to perform.

"It would leave us with no sustainable tour circuit.

"It's a very important part of 'brand Britain'. The next 20 years relies on us getting this right."

A spokesman for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: "We are committed to supporting the UK's world-class music industry in these challenging times through substantial financial measures such as the Coronavirus Job Retention and Self-Employed Income Support Schemes, as well as business rates relief for music venues and the Bounce Back loan scheme.

"We are working closely with the industry to plan for the future as part of our recovery strategy."

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