A BRIDGWATER music venue has been deemed as being in imminent danger of permanent closure.

The Music Venue Trust (MVT), which represents hundred of grassroots music venues across the UK, has warned that 20 sites are at critical risk - including The Cobblestones pub, which is located on Eastover in the town centre.

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on so many venues, and the government 'roadmap' for the easing of lockdown restrictions does not allow pubs to have customers indoors until May 17.

Mark Davyd, the MVT chief executive, said: "The crisis is nearing its final lap but we need to make sure these venues finish the race.

"With the support of artists and audiences, we have fought our way through the last 11 months, venue by venue, case by case, trying to make sure that we are able to reopen every venue safely.

"These six newly highlighted venues need urgent help, and we still have 14 venues that were on our original red list that we can’t yet guarantee will survive to bring live music back to our communities.

"We are completely determined that they will.”

The Cobblestones is one of the six new venues on the list of 20 sites, alongside the following: Alchemy, Croydon; Beehive Jazz, Kingston upon Hull; Boom, Leeds; Dryad Works, Sheffield; Egg, Kings Cross; Legends Live Lounge, Oldham; Spiritual Bar, London; Stage and Radio, Manchester; The 1865, Southampton; The Black Heart, Camden; The Fiddlers Elbow, Camden; The Hot Tin, Faversham; The Lexington, Islington; The Post Bar, Tottenham; The Venue, Derby; The Waiting Room, Stoke Newington; The Windmill, Brixton; Venue 38, Ayr; and Y Llew Coch, Macynlleth.

Graham Hogdson, The Cobblestones owner, said: "Over the past five years The Cobblestones has established itself as a musical hub for the local community.

"We have welcomed talent from all over the world, from veterans who have played the biggest venues to youngsters who want to build themselves a future in a beautiful industry.

"In 2020 we saw all our income disappear, causing a venue that many know, love and even call home to face hardships and potential ruin.

"With the help of the Music Venue Trust, The Cobblestones is now attempting to raise much-needed funds to ensure our survival and bring everyone back together when it’s safe to do so.

"We will use any funds raised to ensure the survival of the venue, so we can continue to support all the artists and staff who make it what it is.

"We have explored all other options to keep us going but were not eligible for the Culture Recovery Fund, and so now need help to ensure we return when we are allowed to reopen.”

The MVT crowdfunding initiative can be viewed here, with people able to choose an individual venue to donate to.

If an individual target is reached by a particular venue, the surplus donations will go towards supporting other sites on the critical list.