COMMUNITY activists are urging Hampshire residents to boycott a popular Hampshire venue and picket a Nigel Farage event.

Organisers of Stand Up To Racism alongside The Art House Cafe owner, Jani Franck, are urging artists and music enthusiasts to boycott The Concorde Club unless the scheduled Nigel Farage visit is cancelled.

Mr Farage has been criticised and accused of racism by people including Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Jani said: “The sheer hypocrisy of The Concorde Club is why so many people will be boycotting the venue."

Jani said she will no longer attend events at the venue and will no longer cross promote their events.

“It takes a lot for me to bash another venue but they are very respected and it seems ridiculous for them to tarnish their reputation and risk it,” she said

Southampton Stand Up To Racism is urging people to join them for a counter event being organised from 4pm until 7.30pm on the same day.

Joe Dukes said: “Our demonstration will be a loud and vibrant celebration to show that we do not agree with the politics of Nigel Farage.

“It is not against UKIP, it is against Nigel Farage’s politics. He is the face of modern day right wing in Britain.”

The voluntary organisation will be holding a welcoming community ‘world food’ picnic, from 4pm at Eastleigh Lakeside, where attendees are encouraged to bring a dish of food which can be shared with others.

Following the community picnic, the group will be assembling outside Eastleigh’s Concord Club.

“We aim to bring a broad range of people together, with a view to collectively celebrate the diversity Eastleigh is enriched by,” said Joe.

The event, which has sold out will take place on May 14 from 8pm.

Director of The Concorde Club, Jamie Mathieson said: “We had an opportunity to host an evening with Nigel Farage, we were approached by his agent. We thought it would be of interest to people and we live in a country of free speech.

“It is not a political rally, he will be talking about his life. The Concorde Club does not have a political stance on Nigel Farage.

“People are entitled to their opinions, as is Mr Farage.”

Jamie stated that the venue have not received any negative feedback from people that regularly come to venue.