"It's an immensely difficult time to run a venue" - theatre bar pleads for help after costs soar

Owners of a popular theatre bar have issued an appeal to its customers to help keep it afloat as it continues to tackle rising bills.

Simon Naylor, creative director of 53two said the current climate has made it increasingly difficult to run the venue and customer support is vital to "keeping us alive as an integral arts hub". He is asking people to share their cause on social media, visit the venue and donate one pound a week to help it through tough times.

The bar and theatre, which is situated on Watson Street in the Grade II-listed tunnels beneath Manchester Central opened in 2021 after moving from their first home in the old Bauer Millett showroom, which they hosted shows, plays and events at since 2016. The site lay empty for a decade, but Simon - a former Corrie actor - venue manager Alex Maxwell, and their team lovingly restored and preserved it.

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The charity also designed the space to be accessible, with plenty of room for wheelchairs and prams. In 2022, it's plans to build on this with a 'Changing Places' toilet facility - one of only a handful in the city - was put on hold after its bid of £200,000 was turned down by Arts Council England.

In the latest video shared to the theatre's social media pages, Simon and Alex told their followers: "You’ll have seen we’ve got some really exciting stuff coming up and we’ve got plenty more to shout about, but for now we’re asking for your help.

“As you know everyone is struggling right now with bills and the crazy cost of living, not least venues. For us, our energy bills have increased almost 100 percent. Our business rates, discretionary relief have been removed, increasing that by 20