St Albans-based band Enter Shikari have pledged their support for Club 85’s fundraiser, as efforts continue to raise £2.2 million and save the beloved Hitchin venue.

Back in September last year, landlords Jas and Ranjit Lidder submitted a planning application to turn the Whinbush Road site into 16 homes ahead of their planned retirement, but the proposal was withdrawn earlier this year.

Despite this, it still appeared that the beloved music venue would close down, with a farewell show scheduled to take place on December 30 and manager Bob Mardon saying that the venue was "working to establish our options towards finding a positive resolution and even a new location locally".

Nicknamed the “battle fund”, more than £10,000 has been raised so far via GoFundMe, a third of the way to its target of £30,000.

Hitchin's Club 85.Hitchin's Club 85. (Image: Archant)

Now, Enter Shikari’s keyboardist Rou Reynolds has backed efforts to keep Club 85 and other grassroots venues across the UK open.

In an interview with BBC Radio Northampton, he described the venue –  which hosted Enter Shikari's first ever gig outside of St Albans – as a ‘community hub’.

“These places create a sense of community you don’t get anywhere else in life,” Reynolds told BBC’s Justin Dealey. 

“Especially in light of what's been happening in the last few weeks with riots and protests, these spaces allow cultures to come together and we all have positive experiences. They are really vital to a healthy society.”

If you wish to donate or find out more about Club 85 check out www.gofundme.com/f/club-85s-battle-fund.