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I think the other option is to move the servers overseas, join (or start) an Open Collective in Europe and carry on that way out of the jurisdiction of the OSA.
I think both options have advantages and disadvantages, but we should probably decide which route to take, then start making it happen.
I think moving to Open Collective will be relatively easy and makes sense to put the site outside of the UK's jurisdiction so that would get my vote. If the EU decide to implement something similar to the OSA in the future, then we can look into compliance and mitigation then.
Lebowski-
Out of the jurisdiction of the OSA doesn't really mean anything if UK people continue to access the forum because it's designed with extraterritoriality in mind, although in practice risk of enforcement is probably lower. Ultimately someone has to be responsible for running the thing and it's not going to be Velocio (even if servers get moved overseas). So someone still has to step up to actually keep the place running, then we can discuss implications of moving operations overseas.
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There are also other good, low-cost options in Europe, eg a stichtling (I think it's called) in the Netherlands
youClown
d0cA
Ok so first and foremost if we want to try to keep this functioning in the UK through compliance with the OSA, and Velocio has decided to step out, then someone has to actually be responsible for LFGSS and put their name on a register. Is there anyone here who is actually willing to step up to that and be committed for the long haul? Even if a company/CIC is incorporated it'll still need directors.
If that piece isn't in place then we can do all the thinking and put all the pieces together to ensure compliance and minimise risk and this still won't go anywhere. But if that can happen then there is a world in which the OSA is a fucking PITA but not the end of the online world as we know it which we can try to find.