30 grassroots music venues close in a year - here's what the government must do

Mark Davyd,MVT chief executive and founder,said: ‘The future of British music depends on stabilising and rebuilding the grassroots touring network’ (Credits: Getty Images)

The government has been called to take action to save Britain’s music venues after it was revealed more than half of grassroots venues did not make any profit last year.

Industry body Music Venue Trust published its annual report for 2025 on Wednesday,which highlighted that,despite contributing more than half a billion pounds to the UK economy,30 grassroots music venues have permanently closed over the past year with 6,000 (19.8%) roles cut – the sharpest drop since the trust began collecting annual data.

It also reported that the national touring circuit has shrunk with 175 UK towns and cities no longer receiving regular touring shows by professional artists.

Last year,the government published the Creative Industries Sector Plan,which outlined investment worth £30 million to go towards grassroots spots across the country and mentoring opportunities for emerging talent.

But MVT has cited the UK Government’s changes to national insurance and business rates as a factor that has caused many venues to struggle over the past year and proposed plans to help inject more money and support into the sector.

Mark Davyd,said: ‘The future of British music depends on stabilising and rebuilding the grassroots touring network.

‘For 10 years,Music Venue Trust has explored the best ideas from around the world,worked with our sector to understand what would make the biggest difference to them,and brought forward innovative,groundbreaking ideas that we can now deliver practically.’

It also hopes money generated by the grassroots levy,a voluntary scheme which sees large concerts at stadiums and arenas reinvest a portion of the gross revenue back to GMVs,will help address the root cause impacting the touring circuit by covering venue costs and guaranteeing artist fees across UK towns.

DICE's 25 grassroots artists to see in 2025

Ticketing app DICE has put together a list of their 25 grassroots artists you need to see in London over the next six months.With tickets ranging from free to £27.50,these shows will ensure a great night to suit all tastes and budgets.Click HERE to catch the full list.It warned that if it does not materialise by June 2026 then the Government must intervene.Mr Davyd said: ‘This is no longer just about rescue,it is about working with our partners and colleagues,including the crucial role to be played by the Live Trust (the charity which collects the funds raised by the levy),to deliver investment and reform that restores the infrastructure that music careers are built on.‘The arrival of grassroots levy funding in 2026 will provide the opportunity to take a radical new approach and that is exactly what we intend to do.The UK’s Creative Industries Minister,Ian Murray,said: ‘Grassroots venues are vital to the UK’s music culture,offering emerging artists a platform,supporting local economies and creative jobs.‘That is why we are committed to working with the sector to support the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem,and continue to encourage the live music industry to adopt a voluntary £1 levy on tickets for stadium and arena shows to help safeguard the future of grassroots music alongside our £30m music growth fund and our record innovation funding.’Mark Davyd presented the findings of the MVT annual report to figures from across the music industry (Picture: Georgia Penny)‘We have reached the limits of what venues can absorb on margins of 2.5%. This sector has done all it can to keep music live in our communities. It now needs permanent protection,structural reform and leadership that recognises grassroots venues as essential national infrastructure.‘That obviously needs to come in the form of a coherent strategy from Government,but they are not the sole solution.Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook performing alongside son Leon (Picture: Georgia Penny)‘The music industry itself is in the last chance saloon with regards to the levy; if voluntary industry action does not deliver by June 2026,the Government must legislate.’To mitigate further impact on grassroots music venues,MVT said it will expand its frontline services to help to prevent avoidable closures through programmes such as its venue support team and emergency hardship relief fund,which offer advice and urgent cash to GMVs.The London Grassroots Music Tube Map – CLICK TO ENLARGEIt will also invest £2 million into existing programmes such as Venue MOT,Off the Grid and Raise the Standard to help reduce venue operating costs.The annual report was launched at an event held at the V&A Museum,which featured speeches from Mr Davyd,chair of the Culture Media and Sport committee MP Caroline Dinenage,and Liberal Democrat culture,media and sport spokesperson MP Anna Sabine.

Music Venue Trust's seven aims

1. Venue Support Team Expansion – a national emergency support service providing expert advice on planning,licensing,legal and financial issues to prevent closures

2. Emergency Hardship Relief Fund – urgent grants of up to £10,000 for venues facing imminent closure due to crises such as fire,flood,or sudden financial shock.

3. Venue MOT – a diagnostic and improvement programme to help venues cut costs,improve operational efficiency,and increase income.

4. Off the Grid – installing solar and battery systems in GMVs to eliminate energy bills.

5. Stay the Night – grants to create or upgrade artist accommodation and backstage facilities.

6. Raise the Standard – capital grants for professional sound and lighting equipment to improve artist and audience experience and support technical staff.

7. Liveline – a national touring programme that pays artists fairly,covers venue costs,and removes financial risk for promoters,focusing on towns and cities currently excluded from the touring circuit.

Squeeze frontman Glenn Tillbrook and his son Leon performed a host of classics from the south London legends’ back catalogue.

Mr Davyd told the audience: ‘For 10 years,the Music Venue Trust has been compelled to focus on rescue,keeping doors open,preventing closures,fighting planning battles,plugging gaps,and that work obviously has to continue. 

Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook with Mark Davyd (Picture: Georgia Penny)

‘But survival alone is no longer enough,and pretending otherwise would be completely dishonest.

‘2026 is the year that Music Venue Trust is going to change gear,and should also be a new year that the government and the industry seize the opportunity and change gear with us.’

Which venues have closed?

The Caledonia in Liverpool

The Dorothy Pax in Sheffield

Retro in Manchester

The Musician in Leicester 

The Old Red Bus Station in Leeds

The Dream Machine in Glasgow 

Ms Dinenage said: ‘The Music Venue Trust has been such a critical voice for grassroots music venues.If you were to draw a Venn diagram of the crises that have hit this country over the last five to ten years,whether it was Covid,the energy crisis,the cost of living,or business rate,music venues would be right there in the epicentre of all of it.

MP Caroline Dinenage said there are human realities behind venues closing (Picture: Georgia Penny)

‘It’s often mentioned in the media and in parliament that our music venues are shutting at the rate of about two a week.But that’s just numbers.Behind those numbers are human realities,the spaces we love,the jobs we rely on,and the places that offer people in our communities a rare opportunity to come together for a shared experience – and to actually have fun.’

The MVT is one of several organisations to work alongside Metro on our campaign to promote the small venues that serve as the bedrock for the British music industry.

At the heart of the effort is the London Grassroots Music Tube Map,which promotes the sites,music legends and new talent who define the culture of the capital.

Stars including Billy Bragg, Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson, Skin and Prima Queen have also lent their backing to the campaign with recollections from the early days of their careers.