Keep MelloMello
///UPDATE 20/04/13 ////
To say that the support MelloMello has received this past fortnight is overwhelming would be an understatement. We have all been greatly touched, empowered and bolstered by not only the generous donations but also the resilient and positive attitude of all who have offered guidance, ideas and support.
Unfortunately, we have just been informed that our previously accepted offer has now been declined in favour of a new, higer offer. We do not know who has gazumped us, but we are now facing prices that we will not be able to negotiate given the current funds available to us.
Rob, Laura, Jo & Adam would like to stress that we will obviously do all we can to continue this fight, and that this slight set-back in the preferred flow of play does not signal an end or ultimate defeat; we will have to see what happens and what options become available to us.
As stated below, should we be ultimately unsuccesful in our initial aim of purchasing the building, we will use any money raised by this campaign to continue the business either in the current building under new landlords (should they allow us to stay) or somewhere new.
Please be aware that whilst we are immensely grateful for all your ideas, the nature of this sale is highly complex and we cannot respond to each individual suggestion.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
What's Going On?
The iconic building which houses MelloMello, a registered not for profit Community Interest Company set up to promote and facilitate local grassroots artistic endeavours as well as operating Liverpool's best specialist vegetarian/vegan/gluten free restaurant, much cherised live performance venue, music studio, dance studio and Bido Lito! magazine offices is currently up for sale!
The company who have tranformed this previously derelict space into a vibrant cultural hub over the past five years have submitted a succesful offer for the purchase of the property in order to KEEP MELLOMELLO and prevent the building from falling into the hands of commerical developers and corporate investors looking to open up yet another chain-bar or supermarket in Liverpool city centre. However, interest in the property is high and we must act now to secure MelloMello and this organically grown business once and for all!
What Can We Do?
MelloMello are currently desperately seeking funds to raise a deposit for a mortgage on the building before time runs out. Friends and staff have ALREADY SECURED an amazing £10,000.00 and the company are hoping the community can help raise at least another £30,000 over the next 3 weeks. Whilst this does seem a paramount ask, we believe that there's a whole lot of love out there for MelloMello and that there is a huge amount of people out there who will be overjoyed at the prospect of MelloMello being safe and secure for years to come so the company can continue its work in promoting local grassroots arts and maintaining a safe, welcoming, vibrant environment for everybody! This is a once in a liftime opportunity, we CAN do this! Last summer nearly 10,000 people signed a petition to help MelloMello obtain rates relief for this financial year. If everyone who signed that petition gave as little as £3 we will have reached our target!!
What Do We Get For Donating?
As well as being an absolute hero for all who use and benefit from MelloMello, the various aspects of the building from the kitchen and recording studio, the bar and the venue, the dance studio and the Bido Lito offices have joined forces to offer a number of limited edition "rewards" or perks for those who donate to the cause of keeping MelloMello. Here's an example of some of the things on offer:
- A day's worth of recording whatever you desire in the music studio with an experienced producer and engineer.
- A limited edition Bido Lito! Bundle featuring a compilation cassette of the best new Liverpool bands, a Bido Lito! t-shirt and a year's subscription to the magazine!
- A Yoga taster course in the Tilt Dance Studio!
- A portrait of you or whoever you want....in cake form!
- A limited edition print commemorating your brilliance in helping to Keep MelloMello
- A FREE PASS to any event in MelloMello EVER!
- A private "lock in" for you and your pals with some free booze and food!
- A whisky (or other spirit!) tasting evening for you and 3 mates.
The Impact!!
If MelloMello are able to purchase and subsequently remain in their building, the company will finally have the freedom to improve the facilities on offer and build for the future (something which hasn't been able to happen due to the previous lack of security of tenure). If you help you will be ensuring that this organically grown independent business, totally unique to Liverpool, can continue to grow and flourish and set an example that society and business can mix and be successful, and be beneficial for everyone! You will be helping to guard the future of one of Liverpool's few remaining independent music venues, vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free eateries, musc rehearsal and recording studios, dance and well-being studios, artists' studio space and community meeting rooms! At a time when many of Liverpool's most loved indepedent businesses and venues are closing for good, we have a real chance of securing a future for Liverpool's grassroot's creative scene.
What Happens If We're Unsuccesful?
There is always the risk that MelloMello's offer to purchase the building will be beaten by a massive cash-rich company or individual. The larger a deposit we can raise, the more chance we have of getting our mortgage deposit sorted. However, should things go wrong any money raised by this campaign will be used to continue the business either in the current building under new landlords (should they allow us to stay) or somewhere new (in Liverpool).
I can't Donate, How Else Can I Help??
Times are indeed tough and most people won't be able to donate as much as they would like. The best way to help would be to SPREAD THE WORD as far and wide as possible and let people know that YOU WANT TO KEEP MELLOMELLO. You can like the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SaveMelloMello and use the IndieGoGo share tools to direct people here!!
If you have any other ideas for helping raise the funds for a deposit feel free to drop us a line at funding@mellomello.co.uk
