The beloved community radio station has launched a Crowdfunding campaign to purchase their Bristol home, Mickey Zoggs.
After being given an ultimatum from its current landlord, Noods Radio has announced it is under threat of eviction. The independent station has set a goal of raising £70,000 towards securing a deposit on the venue before its lease is up in November, ensuring that Noods Radio can continue its operations and support the local creative community.
Since its inception in 2015, Noods Radio has become a pivotal figure in the local creative community, known for its inclusive programming and community-driven initiatives. Since 2021, Noods Radio has been broadcasting from Mickey Zoggs, a venue that has evolved into a vital hub for Bristol’s creative community.
Beyond the broadcast, the team behind Noods Radio runs various programmes aimed at paving the way for new and inclusive talent within the creative industries, including programmes to help women and non-binary individuals get into broadcasting, hosting roughly 230 artists every month from the pub on the radio, and a number of initiatives that help young people gain the skills and experience needed to enter the creative industries.
The future of the radio station and is contingent on the future of Mickey Zoggs; if Noods Radio is forced to leave, it may not remain commercially viable and its community focus projects will be put on hold.
Leon Pattrick, Noods Radio Co-founder and Director, stated: “Although the idea of it all coming to an end in six months is heartbreaking, I believe we’ve been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to provide a permanent space for the radio and ensure the space can remain for generations to come.”
“[The] future legacy of Bristol music giants stand on the shoulders of these crucial cultural spaces. These pipeline organisations are the heart of sonic communities, and critical to music ecosystems. They serve an important function in the city and must be protected,” said Night Time Economy Advisor Cathy Heath.
“This means more than just the purchase of a space; it’s preserving a community created over the last 3 years of Mickey Zoggs being open,” added Izzy Cross, Director of Noods Levels. “It’s key projects like our Radio Broadcasting course for non-binary and women who want to become broadcasters running. It’s keeping Noods Radio alive. We hope that by purchasing Zoggs, we can keep the building in the hands of the community and continue to build on what we have already achieved.”
Head to the Crowdfunder to support and find out more.