Richie and Hazel Pitt, the married couple behind Liscard's The Scrapyard and The Wellington Music Venue, have issued a stark warning: if people don't support them, both venues could close within the next four weeks.
Owners reveal financial struggles
In a candid social media post, the couple admitted they have not always got things right but stressed the harsh reality of running independent venues. They wrote: "Over the last few months we've invested heavily in bringing The Wellington Music Venue back to life while continuing to run The Scrap Yard Bar. We've spent thousands creating spaces we hoped our community would be proud of."
They added: "What many people don't see is the reality behind running independent venues. Every month we face huge energy bills, VAT, business rates, rent, staff wages, insurance, stock costs, brewery invoices, licensing costs and countless other expenses before we've even served our first customer."
From success to survival mode
The couple took over The Scrapyard in Liscard earlier this year, describing it as a "no-brainer" and a "unique hotspot" with a big personality. Dad-of-three Richie, from Wallasey, previously told the ECHO: "Previous owner Claire did a great job here and built a great reputation for The Scrapyard over many years. When we heard The Scrapyard had closed, we just had to step in and continue Claire's great work here."
However, despite a promising start, the venue now faces an uncertain future. The couple wrote: "Unless things change, we genuinely believe both venues could be forced to close within the next four weeks. This isn't a marketing stunt or a plea for sympathy. It's simply the reality of where we are."
Community urged to act
They appealed to the community: "If you've ever said you'll 'pop in one day', please make that day soon. Come for a pint, breakfast, lunch, a quiz, live music, the football, an open mic, or simply bring a friend along. Every visit really does make a difference."
The Wellington Music Venue, located on Seaview Road, has become a staple of the Wirral live music scene, hosting local and touring acts across genres from rock and blues to indie and acoustic. The couple stressed they have "poured everything" into the venues because they believe Liscard deserves independent spaces for people to meet and enjoy live music. They concluded: "We just hope enough people believe that too."
