Music Venue Trust Announce, ‘A Manifesto For Grassroots Music’ Ahead Of General Election

Political Representatives From All Parties Urged To “Seize The Moment”

Music Venue Trust (MVT) 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 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, MVT

“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, MVT

“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.”

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Download and read Music Venue Trust‘s full report, ‘A Manifesto for Grassroots Music’ now.

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Write to prospective MPs and ask them to commit to the Manifesto for Grassroots Music.

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Write To Your Local Candidates

An email or letter during the election campaign is an important way to make sure the challenges faced by Grassroots Music Venues, Artists and Promoters are tackled when Parliament resits. You can use this simple method to ask your local candidates where they stand on live music and what action they intend to take to protect, secure, and improve it.

You can find out who your local candidates are, and their contact details at https://whocanivotefor.co.uk/

Each candidate should have an email or local address.

You can write to your local candidate to ask them to support local Grassroots Music Venues by just copying and pasting the below into an email, message, or letter to them. We strongly recommend you add personal touches and include your own local information.

Template Letter

Dear XX,

I’m getting in touch from [INSERT LOCAL AREA] regarding your support for local Grassroots Music Venues as one of my local parliamentary candidates.

Music Venue Trust has recently released their manifesto with five ways to protect Grassroots Music Venues in the UK. (https://www.musicvenuetrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/MVT-A-Manifesto-For-Grassroots-Music.pdf)

In 2023 more than one venue closed every week in the UK, and this has an ongoing negative impact on our local community, access to culture, and opportunities for young people to experience seeing and working in the live music space.

It would be great if you can let me know that you support Grassroots Music Venues and if, and how, you plan to protect these venues if you’re elected in July?

Grassroots Music Venues do so much to support the rest of the live music industry, yet they have been overlooked and undervalued for too long. This needs to change.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

[YOUR NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS]

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