Next Pm should guarantee Britain’s dying music business has a future | UK | News | EUROtoday

A “once in a generation” alternative to revive Britain’s dying grassroots music venue scene have to be seized by political events vying to be elected on the forthcoming General Election to save lots of the sector from extinction.

The Music Venue Trust at the moment (Tue) publishes a report urging leaders to “seize the moment” by adopting key calls for of their ‘A Manifesto for Grassroots Music’, which units out the pressing motion steps wanted to be taken so as to stem the present closure  price of 1 venue every week.

The report, which is being despatched to each potential MP throughout the nation, emphasises the necessity to implement the current Culture Media & Sport Select Committee suggestions for the broader stay music business to put money into the way forward for grassroots music through a contribution of £1 from each area and stadium ticket offered for occasions over a 5000 capability – one thing the Daily Express’ Strike A Chord campaign has championed.

There are additionally requires the abolition of VAT on grassroots tickets and for a overview of the enterprise charges paid by venues within the sector. The report additionally highlights the necessity for a full, fan led overview and the necessity for modifications to current planning legal guidelines.

Sophie Brownlee, External Affairs Manager at Music Venue Trust, stated: “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 current report recommending the implementation of a £1 levy on area and stadium live performance tickets, the CMS choose committee stated, “…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 stated, “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.”