Sheaf St Leeds cafe and events space forced to close due to coronavirus as fundraiser 'for survival' launched

Sheaf St - a cafe, bar and events space - closed on Tuesday (March 17) because of coronavirus putting a 'great deal of strain' on the business.

Staff have now launched a 'double whammy' fundraiser, looking to raise funds to help the facility 'survive' and to help others through foodbanks.

In a post on fundraising page GoFundMe, staff said: "We’re raising funds to help those in more need than us during the coronavirus outbreak.

"Funds will also go to keep people employed and keep our business alive.

"As of the 17th March we have had to temporarily close the doors to the public at Sheaf St - a cafe, bar and event space (www.sheafst.com)

"This has put a great deal of strain on our business but things are much more concerning for others in even more tricky scenarios.

"We’re going for a double whammy on Fundraising here, we are looking to raise funds not only to help us survive but to help us use our time and resources to help others. 50% of funds will go to help those in more need than us during the virus outbreak.

"The other 50% will go to help us continue to employ our team and to keep Sheaf St going while we have no customers."

A post on the page said money raised will be spent equally between:

- Supporting Leeds South and East foodbank in vital donations

- Creating a swiftly accessible freelancers support fund for creatives, artists and musicians in need due to work cancellations or lack of government support

- To help keep Sheaf St running in the background and be ready to re-open when it's safe to do so

- To enable us to continue to employ staff and be able to re-purpose their time to help those in need.

The post continued: "We have set up this fund in the hope that people who normally would come down to eat, drink and play with us, might be in a position to want to chip in and get involved.

"Those at Sheaf St and the wider community that we help will be eternally grateful for any support you can give no matter how small.

"As always we are endeavouring to follow our motto - Work Hard and Be Nice to People - Help us to Help Others."

To donate to the fundraiser, click here.