One of Manchester's best-loved nightclubs has launched a crowdfunding campaign as it's left 'fighting for it's life'.
The indie club 42s - which has been part of the city's night life for decades - says it is 'close to the edge' financially as the country nears its second lockdown, the .
Its owners said government schemes, such as Eat Out to Help Out and the VAT reduction, have been of little benefit.
They said the initiatives have 'failed to be of any real value to the nightclub industry and the thousands of people clubs employ.'
The night time industry has been further battered by the 10pm curfew, and the Tier 3 rules that forced many businesses to close once again.
42s' general manager Simon Jackson warned that the country could become a 'cultural desert' if venues like this aren't able to survive.
Bosses at the venue have warned that the Bootle Street club is at real risk of closure.
It's now hoping that its fans and customers can keep the venue afloat until the new year through its Crowdfunding campaign, which will offer rewards in exchange for donations.
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There'll be tickets for future events as well as music-related memorabilia and merchandise offered up as rewards, with support from The Slow Readers Club, DMAs, Fuzzy Sun and Reverend and the Makers.
The Crowdfunder - which includes a breakdown of the club's running costs - hopes to raise £60,000, which will help to see it through to early next year.
Simon said: "We were the first ones shut and we'll be one of the last to reopen. We feel like third-class citizens when it comes to business.
"The government doesn't seem to see nightclubs as the fun and friendly places like ours is.
"In a city like Manchester we're essential. we've helped support music for years.
"I've worked at 42s full time for 20 years but I was in here when I was 18, and I remember Ian Brown and the Stone Roses being in here listening to records.
"It's just helped the culture of the city so much. We're heading for a cultural desert.
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"Manchester promotes itself through music, through bands like Oasis and the Stone Roses. It's known internationally for it.
"You travel anywhere in the world and they know Manchester for two things - football clubs and music."
42s did reopen as a pub with full table service, which was trading fairly well before the curfew kicked in.
Simon added: "Before the 10pm curfew we thought 'we might just be able to do this', though funds were running very low - we've not had any solid income since March.
"But then the 10pm pretty much killed us of.
"We struggled, we're not pub operators and it's a completely different thing.
"We're used to letting people go mad, have a good time, run around the dancefloor, and we have to convert that to saying 'Excuse me, would you mind sitting down please?'
"We had to trial several different playlists too, because if we played anything like Not Nineteen Forever people would start singing and getting too excited!"
The Crowdfunder to save 42s will go live at 6pm tonight. Details will be shared on the venue's .