Legendary nightclub Electrowerkz in St. Peter’s has been offered a £78,000 grant from the Arts Council England to help it get through the current crisis in the entertainment industry.
The grant was part of the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund aimed to help arts organisations while many venues remain closed.
Electrowerkz is famous for hosting the longest alternative-dark scene club event internationally (since 1987), and featuring as the main location for shooting San Junipero, 80’s styled episode of the “Black Mirror” series. However, the club suspended all its events in March due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council, said: “This latest funding, which are the largest grants to date, will support some of the country’s most loved and admired cultural spaces — from great regional theatres and museums to historic venues in the capital — which are critical to the development of a new generation of talent and in providing work for freelance creatives.”
Electrowerkz launched a fundraising campaign on crowdfunder, Pay It Forward to save the club at the end of August, after the insurance company refused to cover business interruption and many of its staff were facing redundancy.
The campaign was crucial not only in supporting nightlife, but also in maintaining the Wild Bunch Club, a project giving adults with learning difficulties an opportunity to have nights out at Electrowerkz with DJs and live performances, when they return.
As a result of the campaign, Electrowerkz raised nearly £16k donations in two months and has now received good news from the Arts Council England. Like many other venues, the club is waiting for further notice from the government to open its doors to guests.
