A POPULAR Bournemouth music venue has raised over half of its fundraising target during the lockdown, but will not be reopening on July 4.

Chaplin's & The Cellar Bar in Boscombe faces an uncertain future as a result of the pandemic.

To aid the venue during these challenging times, owner Harry Seccombe set up a crowdfunder page as part of the national initiative #SaveOurVenues launched by the Music Venue Trust.

Despite passing the halfway mark, Mr Seccombe has decided to keep Chaplin's closed for the foreseeable future.

He said: "The government has banned any form of live performance. That's like saying to a restaurant you can open but you can't serve food. We are very event driven but that model is difficult to sustain."

Ensuring social distancing measures are adhered to would also be extremely difficult to police and would involve spacing people across different floors and outside the venue, something which would take away the community and informal feel of the bar.

With one metre distancing, the venue could only operate at around 10 per cent of its normal capacity, which equates to 12 tables in the venue which can hold 300 people at any one time.

Opening and losing money is also a predominant factor in Mr Seccombe's decision to keep Chaplin's closed.

He said: "I personally don't think it is safe to open in this climate and it makes no economical sense to open. We cannot open and lose money, we would be gone in weeks. I have to open the bar with a profit-making plan.

"I need to be confident for my staff, customers and for the future of my pub."

Mr Seccombe also highlighted the difference between his small, community-led bar to that of the corporate chain of Wetherspoons, a chain that is likely to see success when its pubs reopen.

Chaplin's revolves around engagement, whether that be through live entertainment or chatting to fellow visitors and staff at the music venue.

For Mr Seccombe, it is easier for places like Wetherspoons to reopen on July 4 as they do not offer live performances and entertainment and the majority of its guests remain seated to eat or drink.

He said: "Pubs aren't going to be the same when they reopen on July 4. All the spontaneity and social aspect will be lost. This is more of a struggle for community pubs.

"People want to visit local and independent pubs which I think is amazing. There would be a hole in Boscombe if Chaplin's went."

For now, Chaplin's doors remain firmly closed until Mr Seccombe deems it safe to reopen.

To support Chaplin's, visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savechaplins