Five friends are getting ready to launch a new LGBTQIA+ venue to create a safe space for people to "be their true selves".

The new bar and community space - called CAMP - will be opening its doors at 125 Northdown Road in Cliftonville in May and will offer a diverse programme of drag, cabaret, comedy and performance art.

There will be a bar serving drinks from Wednesday to Sunday every week, as well as a karaoke room for private hire.

CAMP is being created by Sophie Brown, Jess Hall, Olivia Lloyd, Jessica du Preez and Derek du Preez. They say it will be an inclusive, safe environment for queer people to join together and have some much-needed fun.

"We'll be pulling together a programme of diverse talent that aims to reflect the full spectrum of the LGTBQIA+ community - kings, queens, trans talent and non-binary finery," they said.

"The venue will be a space for everyone and a much-needed hub for the whole community."

Sophie and Jess previously ran a series of successful pop-up events at Margate Arts Club, but the CAMP team decided it was time to find a permanent home.

The group, who all live in Margate, are investing their savings - £25k in total - towards the project and have also set up a crowdfunder to help with renovation costs, which has already raised almost £3,000.

They previously had a string of rejections on other properties that needed less work. So a decision was made to throw everything at an empty unit that they say has a huge amount of potential but is in need of a little love.

"With up to 60% of LGBTQ+ venues closing their doors since 2006, CAMP is a necessity," they explain.

"Margate has a thriving queer scene and lots of queer visitors every year, so we think there’s an opportunity to create something really special.

"After two difficult years and a lot of gloom, we feel like now is the perfect time to create a safe space that lets people come together in person, be their true selves, and most importantly just have a lot of fun."

The group is currently in the middle of renovating the venue and submitting the necessary licensing and planning applications to Thanet District Council, with the hope it will all be completed within six to eight weeks.

The crowdfunder is operating as a raffle with the opportunity to win a £1,000 bar tab at CAMP, once it opens its doors.

It costs £1 to put your name in the hat for a chance to win - or you can share the crowdfunder page and tag CAMP on social media for a free entry.

To get involved see www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/camp-margate

It is hoped that this will all be completed within six to eight weeks, with CAMP ready to open its doors by the end of May. Crowdfunder https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/camp-margate (