Buxton’s Level 2 night club in fight for survival

Owner Pete Watmough told how up to 21 workers could be left jobless when the Government’s furlough scheme ends.

Under the terms of its replacement - the Job Support Scheme - Level 2 workers are not eligible for support because the club has been closed since March.

Pete, 48, who has owned the night spot since 2000, described how he had so far been ignored after applying for funding through the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

Father-of-four Pete applied for a grant through the scheme six weeks ago but has heard nothing back.

The club owner applied for a share in the fund on behalf of Level 2 and live music venue AMP - which he also owns - referencing the many big music names he has brought to the town over the years.

Among them are the likes of DJs Judge Jules and Graham Park as well as artists such as Tinchy Stryder.

Pete, who is now in the process of ‘looking for another job to pay the bills’, is putting AMP up for sale in a bid to keep Level 2 afloat.

He said: “We have done endless charity work and pumped hundreds of thousands into our local community over the years and the club is close to people’s hearts in Buxton.

“It’s Buxton’s only nightclub and we want to keep it alive - I know many who met their partners online say social events are a thing of the past but I know people that have married someone they met in Level 2.”

Just some of the work the Level 2 and AMP have been involved with over the years include fundraising discos for youth football club SK Vipers and hosting live bands to raise funds for local charities during Music on the Market Place and Buxton Rocks.

Club owner Pete was even awarded a police commendation for hosting a counter-terrorism training scenario at the venue in October last year.

It unfolded that security staff who attended used skills they learned at the Buxton event to save lives during a knife attack at Manchester’s Arndale Centre just a few days later.

Since opening in 2000 Level 2 has weathered a few storms - including the 2007 smoking ban which ‘halved’ its already-struggling trade.

However nothing could have prepared it for Covid-19.

The club was able to access a business rates relief grant - allowing it to pay suppliers and may a VAT bill - and Government-backed business loan.

However with furlough payments now coming to an end Pete says the club is in dire straits.

He added: “We really want to be here for many years to come providing quality, affordable entertainment for Buxton residents.”

Pete has launched a crowdfunding page for Level 2 in a bid to keep going, saying ‘it is our profound hope that we can continue to bring life into the market place of Buxton’.

To make a donation click HERE.

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