WA institution Navy Club may be forced to shut its doors if it’s unable to turnaround its current financial situation.
The beloved Fremantle club, which regularly hosts live music venue, was established 1947, but may be forced to vacate the building it occupies because, as club manager Sharon Pratt told The Music, “our costs are exceeding our income at the moment.”
“We have some large financial commitments that we’re struggling to meet,” Pratt said.
“[We have] low attendance and an aging demographic with our membership, even though we try to encourage younger people to join as members and run younger type of events.
“Also, the rising cost of utilities and the more activity we have, the more wages we have to pay.”
A statement from the venue said that they’re struggling to gain exposure for events and sign up new members due to “outdated rules and laws that govern how ‘clubs’ can advertise”.
“It is hard for the Navy Club to make themselves known as a regular venue, over the noise of all the other places that have no such restrictions,” the statement said.
Venue operators are now turning to the public for help, announcing a last-minute fundraising gig for tomorrow night featuring headliner Deborah Conway; an event that was organised after following a members meeting last week.
Pratt confirmed it will be one of many events happening over the next few months that they hope will turn the venue’s financial situation around.
Check out theGuide for more details.
