By Josh Lister

As with such meetings, there is both bad and good news. The good news is that the small social club had reported a greatly larger income that it had done with the previous year. However, it is due to that fact that the venue was now operating above a certain tax threshold, thus incurring extra fees. They therefore found themselves in a tight spot and are henceforth calling on the community and new people with fresh ideas and enthusiasm to keep the venue operating, as well as  breathing  some life into the place. 

Because the venue operates as a not-for-profit business, the meeting began by showing its members where their expenses had been spent. There were some areas that had been neglected more than others, such as marketing, as well as some niceties that have had to be put aside, such as adding a fresh lick of paint to walls and adding new equipment. But, this is where the volunteers come in. Because, they realised that a lot of the current team had been there for a long while, and some were even looking at leaving, it was time for fresh faces. They stated that they wanted marketers, web people, part-time bar staff, events people and a part-time paid person overseeing the ins-and the outs of the business.

Fortunately, lots turned out to the event in the small venue on Charles Street. Everyone seemed eager to help, whether it was by signing up to volunteer or by donating whatever they could; that night showed me that this venue is an extremely important venue for a lot of people, from various walks of life. For some people, this is where they go to help get sober. For others, it is a place to meet other creative minds. For some a place to eat and drink. And for some others, a place to witness great live, local music, or even partake in the music too. 

“For some people, this is where they go to help get sober. For others, it is a place to meet other creative minds. For some a place to eat and drink. And for some others, a place to witness great live, local music, or even partake in the music too”

The Lab may have debts, with some more looming than others, however, with the support that I saw that night, the people showed that they are willing to fight to keep this small, but iconic venue alive and kicking. Those on the board do want to make sure that such a crisis never happens again, so it is essential that everyone involved, including those that stepped-up that night, put some effort into making this venue the best that it can possibly be.

“So what is to be the future of The Lab? The community venue is still operating as normal with local performances still taking place. Don’t worry, you can still get a Sunday roast too. But, if you do want to help make a difference to the venue, and to the community, then it is still possible to reach out to the team and put forward your name for whatever you feel might make a difference”

So what is to be the future of The Lab? The community venue is still operating as normal with local performances still taking place. Don’t worry, you can still get a Sunday roast too. But, if you do want to help make a difference to the venue, and to the community, then it is still possible to reach out to the team and put forward your name for whatever you feel might make a difference.