Since June of last year, Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club (BGWMC) has been threatened with closure and perhaps might have already gone the same way as too many other LGBTQ+ venues were it not for the hard work of the Friends of Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club (FoBGWMC).
This community action group made up of locals, performers and punters has already been successful in securing Asset of Community Value status for the venue, but it also set up a fighting fund in February to raise money for a chartered survey, valuation of the building and business plan — the aim is to use this information to put forward a case for Tower Hamlets Council to purchase the venue and lease it back to FoBGWMC or for FoBGWMC to buy the club themselves. The good news is the group has hit its target and can continue with its long-term goal of saving the cabaret venue.
Stay up to date with the effort at fobgwmc.org or see what shows are coming up at the venue (which is still open for now) at workersplaytime.net.
