The Music Venues Trust (MVT) has released its annual report which reveals that grassroots music venues faced their “most challenging year” in 2023. The report includes a survey of 960 grassroots music venues, revealing that 125 venues had to cancel live music events, with 51.4% of these completely closing down as a result. Venues have been struggling with high energy bills, business rates, supply costs, rent as well as reduced footfall and increased operational costs. The COVID-19 pandemic also impacted the scene, as well as neighbour disputes and premises licences.
The MVT claims that out of the 835 remaining grassroots venues, just 0.5% typically make a profit. Despite contributing over £500m to the economy and employing around 30,000 people, the scene is said to be “significantly underfunded compared to other areas of culture”. The UK saw “an extraordinary number of closures” of grassroots venues, impacting the ability of artists to go on tour and for venues to sustain the level of live music provision in their communities.
The report features case studies on venues that closed this year, such as Moles in Bath, Harmonium in Edinburgh and Melodic Distraction in Liverpool. MVT also provided core advice and support services, offering planning, licensing, noise, acoustics, and legal advice to venues across the UK. It is estimated that 35% of grassroots venues in the UK have closed over the past 20 years.
To help support grassroots venues, Music Venue Trust has raised nearly £2.5 million to bring them under public ownership. Mixmag has also compiled a comprehensive list of resources to help in the cost of living crisis which venues are experiencing
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