The new space will provide an inclusive safe space with plenty of silly queer fun to boot

Take five determined friends, throw in the idea of a LGBTQIA+ bar and community space, and boom, you’ve got CAMP Margate (@campmargate).

We’re talking queer socials, a karaoke booth, dancing, pop-culture quizzes, drag brunches, silly performance, alternative entertainers, panel talks, film screenings and much more.

Mainly, though, the aim of CAMP is to be a safe space for everyone; a home away from home.

Margate locals Jess Hall, Sophie Brown, Jessica du Preez, Derek du Preez and Olivia Lloyd have found a premises at 125 Northdown Road in Cliftonville and are investing all their savings - £25k - into transforming it into the new venue, which will be complete with a one metre mirror ball they’ve been hoarding for three years,

They have also launched a crowdfunder to help support the project, which has raised more than £2,800 within days.

The fundraiser comes with the chance to win a £1,000 bar tab once the venue is open, by donating to or sharing the crowdfunder and tagging in CAMP on social media.

Jess and Sophie had initially run pop-up events at Margate Arts Club after the sale of a premises they found for CAMP fell through.

But they decided it was clear that “silly queer fun in an inclusive safe space” was what Margate needed and the search for a permanent home continued, however this was hampered by the pandemic.

“Fast forward to 2022, and the five of us were talking about the space we wished existed,” the group explains.

“Drunken conversations about opening a gay bar started to seem pretty solid in the cold light of day, so we decided to do it.

“CAMP was reborn, this time with five queers at the helm.

“We all threw our life savings in a pot and started to scout out a venue.”

After rejections for three other properties, they found an empty unit in Northdown Road.

However, the venue needs more work than the others they had seen.

“We love our new home, but this place needs serious building work and a full planning application on top of all of the other stuff you need to open a space like this.

“We've done so much of the work ourselves and are working around the clock to open in time for summer (and Margate Pride!), but we need some extra help to get those doors open.

“We truly believe that we are building somewhere that's going to serve the LGBTQIA+ community in Margate and visiting queers for many years to come.

“This isn't a business that we expect to make much money – there are five of us, for a start. “We're more concerned with what we can give to the queer community in Margate, and how we can create a legacy that we're really proud of.”

Money raised will be added to their savings to carry out essential building work, including an accessible toilet, as well as equipment so they don’t have to lease it, which will help future-proof CAMP.

To get behind the project (and see those important £1,000 bar tab raffe details) see https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/camp-margate