Full Breakdown
UK Music Venue Trust Unveils £6 Million Funding Programme to Rescue Grassroots Venues
4/28/2026, 1:31:08 AM
Funding Initiative: £6 Million Programme to Stabilise Grassroots Venues
Music Venue Trust (MVT) launched a £6 million programme to stabilise UK grassroots venues, including a £200,000 grant from LIVE Trust funded by a voluntary £1 ticket levy. Initiatives cover upgrades, energy efficiency, facilities and a Hardship Fund for distressed venues.
Background: Crisis Facing UK Grassroots Music Venues
2024 reports warned of a “collapse” without aid. 2023 saw 125 grassroots venues close. By 2025 over half made no profit and sector lost 6,000 jobs. Relief followed a business-rates reversal, yet voluntary levy remains under-utilised.
Key Players: Organisations Driving the Response
Key participants include Music Venue Trust (COO Beverley Whitrick, CEO Mark Davyd), Live Nation, LIVE Trust, Save Our Scene, This Feeling, AGMP, Association of Independent Promoters, and the UK Artist Touring (UKAT) fund.
Numbers at a Glance
£200,000 in a £6 million package. 125 venues closed in 2023; 6,000 jobs lost. 50 % of venues made no profit; levy participation was 8.8 % of shows (target 50 %). £76 million subsidised live-music cost. £125,000 UKAT fund supports 26 artists. £8 billion from arena and stadium shows.
Official Statements
MVT says programme cuts costs and restores touring viability. Government will legislate levy if uptake improves. Live Nation says it supports artists’ charitable choices, citing Coldplay and Biffy Clyro. UKAT fund cites “cost of touring crisis” in a 2024 parliamentary report.
Criticism
Mark Davyd warned sector “reached the absolute limit of what goodwill can possibly absorb.” He criticised Live Nation for not joining levy, saying failure would be due to market’s dominant players, not compliant promoters or Trust.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Grassroots music venues cannot keep being expected to survive on goodwill and admiration alone,” — Beverley Whitrick, COO, Music Venue Trust
- “have reached the absolute limit of what goodwill can possibly absorb” — Mark Davyd, CEO, Music Venue Trust
- “support artists’ choices on charitable donations, and have worked with numerous artists who have contributed to the voluntary levy – from Coldplay to Biffy Clyro – and will continue to do so.” — Live Nation spokesperson
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The levy was projected to reach 50 % of arena and stadium shows by end-2025, but only 8.8 % participated. No legislation timeline has been set, leaving sector reliant on voluntary compliance. Allocation of remaining £5.8 million beyond the initial £200,000 grant remains undisclosed.
What’s Next
Deadline is 30 June 2026, urging promoters to join. MVT will continue audits, upgrades and “Stay The Night” scheme through 2025-2026. UKAT fund’s cohort of 26 artists will receive assistance, and consultation on levy enforcement is expected this year.
