The Grit in Lowestoft hit by 'energy bill apocalypse'

Owners of The Grit in Lowestoft found out in February that their monthly energy bills would rise from £90 to £1,200, sparking fears the venue could struggle to carry on. 

But loyal supporters have rallied behind the cause, raising more than £1,700 already since the GoFundMe campaign was launched.

Piers Colby said The Grit would have struggled to carry on without help from its supporters (Image: Mick Howes)

Piers Colby, who runs the business, said: "The electricity bills put us in dire straits and we needed a way to dig ourselves out of this hole quickly. We had no other choice but to launch a fundraiser.

"The rise in bills would have wiped out all the money we had saved during a rent-free period which was put aside to go toward making improvements to the venue and to also help pay rent in the future.

"But the community has rallied behind us. It is still going to be a struggle but we are in a much more positive situation now."

The Grit has become a much-loved arts venue for the community of Lowestoft since it opened in September 2022 (Image: Piers Colby)

The Grit, located at the site of the former Old Court Building in Old Nelson Street, hosts regular live music nights, exhibitions, talks and also has a cinema on site.

READ MORE: Lowestoft music venue, The Globe, shuts amid spiralling costs

It opened in September 2022 after eight months of work to create the arts and heritage centre and is being run on a "shoe-string budget" according to Mr Colby.

The Grit hosts regular music nights but it faced a huge increase in energy bills at the start of the year (Image: Piers Colby)

He added: "In that time we have gone from nothing to create a vibrant venue that is really valued in the community.

"We try to keep prices affordable and things had been going well but the new rate five times more than what we were paying would have wiped us out in a few months.

"The donations will help support us for the year ahead and keep us on track."