In the true tradition of our namesake mythical bird, we have had a last-minute reprieve! Our landlords  EcoWorld London have stepped in to support us from Jan 2026 when the crowdfund target ends, until the end of our lease in July 2026. This would prevent the closure due to take place in December 2025. So we really need to be able to raise as much as we can.  With the new time available and the option to extend the lease to 2028 it makes us a much better prospect to access the funding that is available for community led organisations to thrive and was shut off from us before.

We can continue a programme of a variety of gigs, events, and exhibitions, and support community groups and charities to increase the impact of their work by offering the affordable neutral space they feel comfortable in. We can continue with work experience & training in creative industries ready for work or further study. Support new artists to build confidence in their creative practice, while showcasing local talent and emerging artists from across the UK and internationally to multi-generational and culturally diverse audiences.

This support from our landlord, EcoWorld London, has opened up the road ahead. We thought we had finally met the challenge impossible to navigate. This will underpin our operation, enabling focus on essential income to support our core aims and see a time when Woking gets the permanent grassroots cultural live music venue it deserves, and we committed to securing for our community 15 years ago.

We believe the way to celebrate the heritage of music and writing Woking is famous for, is by giving opportunities for everyone to have a creative life, whether for fun or access to the many careers available in the creative industries that are so embedded in Surrey. We have got to this turning point because of  YOU. Your generosity, those who shared and donated to the crowdfund campaign and outside of that. Despite knowing you were contributing to closure and what others may think of as a lost cause, you had faith and without you and your belief and incredible generosity we would have closed in August and this couldn’t have happened. We absolutely can’t thank you enough.