An Oakham pub landlord is fundraising to help save his own and other independent music venues.

Shaun Jackson has joined the nationwide #SaveOurVenues appeal on the crowdfunder platform to help his and other businesses survive the lockdown and its aftermath.

Mr Jackson has posted: "Our venue faces closure because Ei Publican Partnerships has decided to defer payment of rent, rather than cancel any rent due, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Coupling this with the ongoing costs for utilities and re-stocking, etc, could see us facing serious financial hardship, when the lockdown is lifted.

"Subsequently, when we re-open, we'll be facing an outstanding rent bill equaling approximately £526 for every week we've been closed.

"Your donations will be used to help to pay this rent bill, continue trading and carry on bringing you the excellent live music that we've become to known for."

In his appeal, Mr Jackson hopes to raise £6,000.

He continued: "If we hit our target, and we can prevent the closure of our venue, everything above the amount we need will be donated to the Music Venue Trust GMV Crisis Fund to protect other venues just like ours, right across the country."

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However, with eight days to go, the appeal for the well-known music venue appears to have raised just £71.

The website of Ei Partnerships confirmed: "We fully appreciate that this is a very worrying time for all, and we remain committed to assisting our publicans, managers, operators and colleagues whilst also supporting our loyal customers.

"For our Ei Publican Partnerships publicans we have deferred collection of rent and ancillary charges until further notice and we are working tirelessly, with our trade associations, to clarify the finer details of the Government's business support measures."