Lately LGBTQ+ venues in London have been shutting down all over the place, with G-A-Y Late, The Glory and Bethnal Green Working Men's Club all closing in the last year alone. As if that wasn't bad enough, now another queer establishment is facing an uncertain future: east London bookshop, cafe and event space The Common Press. There's no need to fret just yet, though. The venue's owners are fundraising to try and keep its doors open - and they need your support.
Since opening in 2021, The Common Press has proven a welcome addition to the capital's queer scene; a cosy and inclusive community space that's refreshingly different to the warehouse raves and drag brunches that east London is famous for. It's an establishment that is proudly intersectional, boasting a carefully curated selection of books written by LGBTQ+ authors, Black & POC writers, transgender creatives and other marginalised voices.
The 'Save The Common Press' campaign was announced alongside plans for the venue's next chapter. Providing fundraising goals are met, the bookshop will become a Community Interest Company (CIC), meaning any profits made can benefit the community instead of shareholders. As a CIC, the beloved bookshop could also access new grants and funding pots, making it more independent, more financially sustainable and (we hope) more likely to stick around.
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