A town’s only dedicated music venue has launched a campaign to buy the building amid fears it could land in the hands of developers.

Dover’s Booking Hall has bucked the trend of closing venues during the cost-of-living crisis by attracting a diverse cross-section of gig-goers through its doors.

Yet having found himself in a tight spot after the pandemic and external fiscal pressures, the landlord disclosed the building may need to be sold.

Now, a Crowdfunder has been set up to raise the £25,000 to help “secure the venue forever” as a music establishment.

Owner of The Booking Hall Stuart Cameron told KentOnline: “We have been profitable since year one and are well supported.

“The problem is our landlord - who is really good - has finance issues after Covid which he hasn’t recovered from.

“He needs to sell the building, and he offered us first refusal.

“If he puts it on the open market I know it will be bought by a developer and turned into offices or something.

“The whole area is being developed at the moment.

“It would be a poor business decision for a new owner to keep us.”

Mr Cameron started the venture in 2017 in a Grade II-listed disused train station.

Charity Music Venue Properties has already thrown the Booking Hall a lifeline in the form of a campaign called Own Our Venues, helping businesses immediately at risk such as this one.

The 36-year-old explained: “They are making a very substantial financial commitment but we need support to cover the rest.

“Although being in this situation at all is less than ideal, it's not all doom and gloom.

“In under a year, we have gone from not knowing if we would still be open and operating, to only being £25,000 away from securing the future of the venue forever.

“What seemed like an impossible challenge is within our reach.

“We’re asking people to donate and help buy the building to secure the future of live music in the Southeast.”

There has already been a huge outpouring of support for the fundraiser, which was started on April 23.

Broadstairs-based band Striking Thirteen played at the Elizabeth Street entertainment spot on January 13 and say seeing the Crowdfunder was a “massive shock”.

Bassist Neil Armstrong said: “It's a great place and there's been a lot of music venues close over the last few years.

“It would be terrible to add the Booking Hall to that unfortunate list.

“We want to play there again.

“It was a massive shock when I saw the fundraiser.”

This was the three-piece’s first gig in Dover, but they loved the experience.

Mr Armstrong, 39, added: “We're trying to play at lots of places at the moment.

“But, It is hard when a lot of smaller venues are closing.

“Those sorts of ones we need - everyone's gotta start somewhere.

“The Booking Hall is really important for the music scene in east Kent.”

The band, which also includes Sam O'Neill on vocals and guitar and drummer Chris Ryan, plays Brit pop-inspired tracks.

Mr Armstrong continued: “Some of the best gigs I've ever been to are in small venues like that.

“The more of those that disappear, the harder it's going to be for unsigned small acts like ourselves to make any dent in what is a very difficult industry to get into.”

The Southeastern employee is not the only person who would be devastated to see the Dover business crumble.

So far, more than £2,500 has been raised with many commenting messages of support.

Ian Smith wrote: “Having a community owned music venue can only be a good thing.

“Too many local places are closing - this can't be allowed to continue.

“Grassroots venues are an important asset for up and coming acts to get started in the business.”

Allan Norris added: “Too many music venues are closing.

“This place is awesome and there’s not much left, so save what you can!”

It comes as many once popular Kent music spots have recently found themselves under the cosh, as consumer habits continue to change.

Two weeks ago, The Eleto Chocolate Cafe in nearby Folkestone’s Rendezvous Street closed its doors for the final time.

Just a stone’s throw away, the Home Taproom in Tontine Street, where many live bands performed, also recently folded.