Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar to launch a pay it forward Crowdfunder

A pay it forward-style Crowdfunder campaign, aiming to raise £10,000, is about to launch to help Cheltenham’s Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar re-open post lockdown.

By Andrew Merrell | Published Friday 5 March 2021

Litu Mohiuddin, co-owner of the Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar, is launching a Crowdfunding campaign to help the stylish venue re-open post lockdown.

An offering from Cheltenham's Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar, which is launching a Crowdfunding campaign to help re-open post lockdown.

No ordinary gin here. An offering from Cheltenham's Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar, which is launching a Crowdfunding campaign to help re-open post lockdown.

The good old days. Customers enjoy a drink and socialising at Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar, pre-pandemic.

Cheltenham’s Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar is launching a pay it forward-style Crowdfunder campaign, aiming to raise £10,000 in forward sales to help it reopen after lockdown.

The Promenade-based business, which has 14 staff when fully up and running, is readying itself to re-open post-pandemic and wants to use the funds to ‘develop a number of new initiatives and bounce back from lockdown even stronger’.

Litu Mohiuddin, co-owner of the Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar, has dreamed up 18 different pledge options – including a £10 e-voucher for a gin and tonic; a date night; a signed copy of the Memsahib Cookbook; a personalised gin bottle; masterclasses; right up to a £500 private party.

‘We have steered ourselves through an unprecedented challenging period. Thanks in part to Government support we have been able to retain all our staff,’ said Mr Mohiuddin.

‘Revenues have been cut dramatically though and in the latest lockdown our activities have been limited to just hamper sales as the nature of our kitchen and location, made take-away and home delivery unviable.

‘Despite all of this we are looking forward to the future with confidence with some exciting new plans, including our first cookbook and expanding our programme of events.

‘All of this and our survival will be made eminently more possible with support from this pay it forward crowdfunding appeal and we very much hope that our customers and the wider Cheltenham population will want to get involved.’

The Cheltenham venue is said to be inspired by the British Raj period, its name paying homage to memsahibs, who were recognised for empowering women in India, but also for hosting feasts in the comfort of their own homes for family and friends.

The Crowdfunder will run for six weeks finishing on Friday 16 April 2021. The campaign has an initial target of £10,000 and a stretch target of £15,000. Visit Memsahib Gin and Tea Bar website for more details.

All images by Thousand Word Media.

By Andrew Merrell

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