City music venue to re-open following crowdfunding campaign

A music venue and pub in Hull has been saved from permanent closure by a public crowdfunding campaign and is set to reopen its doors in August.

Forced to shut by the pandemic, The Polar Bear went into administration in July 2020.

Since then, more than £19,000 has been raised for a Community Interest Company (CIC) to take over the site and buy new equipment including a sound system.

New owners Polar Bear Music Club have warned the premises is reopening on “a shoe-string” and cautioned the future of the venue, on Spring Bank, “continues to be on a knife edge”.

In a statement they added: “We are now in the process of signing a lease that will enable us to soon open the doors of The Polar Bear and launch as a Community Interest Company.

“Our aim is to continue to raise enough funds to become a self-sustaining, non-profit making community venue.

“Along with securing the building, the crowdfunded money is contributing to the installation of necessary equipment so that The Polar Bear can continue to function as a music venue.

“We will do everything that we can to make this venue a success.”

The Polar Bear will reopen on 24 August, initially for two evenings a week – Tuesdays and Saturdays.