Trippets jazz venue celebrates ‘lifesaving’ £110k Arts Council grant

The future of the region’s only dedicated live jazz venue has been secured thanks to a “lifesaving” cash injection from the Arts Council.

Trippets Lounge Bar, on Trippet Lane, in Sheffield like other venues suffered the devastating affects of two years of lockdown restrictions which almost dealt it a a body blow.

Customers contributed to a crowdfunding campaign and musicians took a 50 per cent pay cut just to help it survive.

But a successful bid to the Arts Council’s Cultural Recovery Fund has seen it awarded £110,000 which has allowed it to become a going concern once again.

Trippets Lounge BarTrippets Lounge Bar
Trippets Lounge Bar

Trippets Lounge Bar, which was unveiled by husband and wife Debbie and Carl Shaw in 2015, had become nationally renowned for both its live jazz and stylish dining experience prior to lockdown.

It offered a stage to jazz musicians of both local, national and international repute; had one of the biggest gin menus in the city and provided a social hub for a vast spectrum of the local community – from students right through to its oldest customer/performer – 83-year-old Beryl Broomhead that described it as “the only place in Sheffield city centre I’m guaranteed a welcoming and safe space”.

Carl and Debbie Shaw had ploughed their life savings into Trippets Lounge Bar and the loss of business caused by the pandemic left them near to bankruptcy.

But the grant, coupled with an upturn in business since the full lifting of restrictions, has left them with a bright future.

Carl and Debbie Shaw at Trippets Lounge BarCarl and Debbie Shaw at Trippets Lounge Bar
Carl and Debbie Shaw at Trippets Lounge Bar

Debbie Shaw said: “There’s no doubt this grant has saved our business and we’re proud that our contribution to the cultural life of Sheffield and the wider region has been recognised by the Arts Council. But I also have to say a big thank you to our loyal customers and musicians that helped raise money to keep us afloat and took pay cuts to help us survive.”

More information/bookings via www.trippetsloungebar.co.uk

LINKS:

Twitter: @TrippetsBar

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