Sheffield students are holding a virtual fundraiser to save a struggling music venue in the city “at risk of permanent closure” due to the pandemic.

Plot 22, a creative hub on Exchange Street in the city centre, has been financially struggling due to the impact of COVID-19.

University of Sheffield students are raising money and awareness for the venue by hosting a free virtual concert via Youtube livestream, which will feature many up-and-coming Sheffield musicians.

The event will go live on Saturday 27 February at 6pm and will include a link to the donation page for viewers to support the cause.

Hannah Youds and fellow students are hosting the event. Miss Youds said: “Our focus was to raise awareness on one of the smaller grassroot venues in the city and encourage people to visit after the pandemic.”

The students found many of the acts through social media call outs. Sheffield band, the Verdis, found out about the event through Facebook group ‘Sheffield Musicians’.

The Verdis band member, Rowan Yaxley, said: “We have played at Plot 22 before, so we wanted to do our part to keep them alive.”

The fundraiser, called Save Plot 22, has already raised over £100 on GoFundMe and more than 100 people have shown interest in the event on Facebook.

Miss Youds added: “I’d like to think we’ve helped make a difference because that was our primary aim, but it’s hard to know.

“It is a shame because you wonder how many more venues in the city are struggling.”

The pandemic has had a devastating financial impact on music venues all around the country. The charity, Music Venue Trust, has named Plot 22 as one of 30 venues most at risk of permanent closure in the UK, along with another Sheffield venue Dryad Works.

Visit the Facebook event to find out more about the virtual concert and how to support Plot 22.