Ep.39 Neil Goulding | Grants, Growth, and Gigs: The Future of Purple Turtle

Neil discusses his role at the Purple Turtle, which includes managing event bookings, promotion, and social media marketing. He provides insights into how he structures his day and handles the diverse responsibilities of his position.   The conversation explores the unique characteristics of the Purple Turtle, emphasising its significance as a Reading fixture and its diverse offerings, including bands, comedy, and club nights.   Neil also shares two exciting developments at the Purple Turtle. First, securing an Arts Council grant for audience development and marketing, which will enable them to bring in a wider variety of music and artists, and invest in a two-camera AV system. Second, the Turtle's expansion to include another medium-sized venue space. The importance of the Purple Turtle's contribution to the local community is discussed, from its free-entry philosophy to its support for local artists and events.   Throughout the interview, Neil offers valuable advice on various aspects of event management, including the funding application process, choosing bands, promotion strategies, and connecting with audiences. He emphasises the need to adapt to the evolving entertainment landscape and the challenges of attracting and retaining an audience.   TIME CODES 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Greeting 00:46 Introduction to Neil 01:08 What Neil's schedule looks like 01:58 Neil's background 02:33 How Neil ended up at the Turtle 03:05 What is different about The Purple Turtle 04:00 The Turtle's impact in Reading 04:33 What makes The Purple Turtle stand out from other bars in Reading 05:58 Successful in securing Arts Council Funding 09:42 Planning permission granted for new venue 10:53 How Neil chooses the bands 12:48 How Neil promotes events at the Purple Turtle 15:11 What works well for Neil on socials 16:06 The Purple Turtle helps the local community 17:26 What challenges has Neil faced since he started 17:55 Tackling the challenge of attracting audiences 18:38 What Neil likes about working at The Purple Turtle 18:58 Final thoughts 20:08 Getting annual events in place