Music Venue Trust (MVT) calls on politicians of all parties to ‘seize the moment’ in Manifesto for Grassroots Music.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

MVT has published a report entitled ‘A Manifesto for Grassroots Music’, which sets out the steps that need to be taken in order to stem the closures of Grassroots Music Venues.

We have received the following press release;

MUSIC VENUE TRUST ANNOUNCE ‘A MANIFESTO FOR GRASSROOTS MUSIC’ AHEAD OF GENERAL ELECTION

POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL PARTIES URGED TO “SEIZE THE MOMENT”

London, June 11TH 2024 - Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents hundreds of Grassroots Music Venues (GMVs), has called upon politicians from all parties to “seize the moment” ahead of the forthcoming UK General Election on July 4th, and to help save the sector from the deepening crisis it finds itself in.

MVT has published a report entitled ‘A Manifesto for Grassroots Music’, which sets out the steps that need to be taken in order to stem the closures of GMVs, currently running at more than one per week, and to bring stability to the sector.

Calling this “a once in a generation opportunity to save the UK’s grassroots music venues”, the report emphasises the need to implement the recent Culture Media & Sport Select Committee recommendations for the wider live music industry to invest in the future of grassroots music via a contribution of £1 from every arena and stadium ticket sold for events over a 5000 capacity.

There are also calls for the abolition of VAT on GMV tickets and for a review of the business rates paid by venues in the sector. The report also highlights the need for a full, fan led review and the need for changes to existing planning laws.

The five key areas highlighted in the report are:

·    £1 grassroots investment contribution from every arena and stadium ticket sold to support grassroots music venues, artists and promoters

·    A fan-led review to fully examine the long-term challenges to the live music ecosystem

·    The agent of change principle in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to be put on a statutory footing at the earliest opportunity

·    A reduction in VAT on cultural ticketing in GMVs to 0% and reduce VAT on cultural ticketing in the live music industry to the European average (5–7%)

·    The creation of a specific business rates premises definition for GMVs and the removal of properties satisfying that definition from the requirement to pay business rates

Sophie Brownlee, External Affairs Manager at Music Venue Trust, said,
“The Manifesto is being delivered to every prospective MP in the country with the request that they come out in support of it as part of their campaign to be elected. Music communities across the country will also be asking the candidates where they stand on the future of live music in our towns and cities. The time to act is now.”

In its recent report recommending the implementation of a £1 levy on arena and stadium concert tickets, the CMS select committee said,
“...grassroots live music venues, the local, limited capacity venues integral to the pipeline of creative and professional talent and key fixtures of our communities, are now facing a crisis of soaring costs and closures. Artists, and the people who rely on them for business, are facing a cost-of-touring crisis and finding opportunities squeezed. Promoters are less able to put on shows or make them financially viable. Festivals, electronic music venues and even academies and arenas are not insulated from the impacts.”

Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust said,
“In 2023, of the 366 small music venues Ed Sheeran played while learning his trade, at least 150 are now closed. Another 72 grassroots music venues significantly reduced or ended their live music offer. 38% of GMVs in the UK made a loss in the last 12 months. The sector operated on a 0.5% profit margin overall while running live music events at a £115 million loss.  All of this can be changed if the next government delivers the five simple steps we have set out in this report.  We therefore call on all political representatives, from all parties, to seize the moment and drive forward this change. We have a chance to save UK grassroots music venues from the crisis they currently face and we should not let it slip.”

The full report can be found HERE
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MVT-Manifesto-Medium_FINAL.pdf

About Music Venue Trust
Music Venue Trust is a UK registered charity which acts to protect, secure, and improve the UK’s Grassroots Music Venues.
Created in January 2014, Music Venue Trust aims to secure the long-term future of GMVs in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, whether they are iconic venues such as Hull Adelphi, Exeter Cavern, The 100 Club, Band on the Wall, King Tut’s, and Clwb Ifor Bach, or lesser-known venues that are equally important to their geographical or musical community. These venues play a crucial role in the development of British music, nurturing local talent, providing a platform for artists to build their careers and develop their music and their performance skills.
MVT works to gain recognition of the essential role these venues fulfil, not only for artist development but also for the cultural and music industries, the economy, and local communities. The geographical spread of GMVs provides access to live music, for both performers and audience members, in many locations that do not have alternative cultural venues. The charity provides advice to the government, the cultural sector, and the music industry on issues impacting GMVs and is the nominated representative that speaks on behalf of the Music Venues Alliance, an association of venues from across the UK.

Music Venue Trust is a Charity registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales, registration no: 1159846.

Music Venue Trust (Scotland) is a charity registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator: Charity Number SC052001