Sound and Music stands alongside our colleagues at the Music Venue Trust, whose CEO Mark Davyd has highlighted the troubling economic realities now facing grassroots music venues in the wake of recent budget decisions.
The government’s reduction of business rates relief from 75% to 40% is expected to impose £7 million in additional taxes on grassroots venues—a sector that, across 830 venues, managed only a £2.9 million total gross profit in 2023. This shortfall places over 350 venues at imminent risk of closure, threatening not only financial stability but the cultural fabric of communities across the UK.
The UK is renowned worldwide for its music, and our country stands as one of only three net exporters. The unique cultures of music and sound originating here don’t just entertain—they shape global music trends and reflect the people, communities and national identity of the UK. Music venues, recording studios, and the artists who fill these spaces collectively fuel a £7 billion industry that not only drives economic growth but also impacts the wellbeing and lives of millions.
“Sound and Music remains committed to supporting the next generation of composers and music creators. In a time of immense strain on the sector, investing in creative careers and educational access is essential to support the UK’s creative talent pipeline.”
In a paper we published earlier this year, Provhat Rahman, founder of Daytimers and Dialled In festival, put it powerfully when he said, ‘so many seminal movements are defined by the spaces they operate in, and having an anchor that solidifies the movement, a physical, geographic anchor that actually certifies it I think is really important.’
Sound and Music remains committed to supporting the next generation of composers and music creators. In a time of immense strain on the sector, investing in creative careers and educational access is essential to support the UK’s creative talent pipeline. Our research shows why these grassroots scenes and the venues that nurture them matter. It is both inspiring and uplifting to see artists doing it for themselves despite the odds. However, without action to support both venues and the artists who depend on them, we risk losing a fundamental part of who we are as a nation—culturally, economically, and socially.
Dr Will Dutta
Chief Executive, Sound and Music
Join us in taking a stand to protect the future of UK music.
Over the coming days, we urge you to reach out to your local MP about the critical need to halt the rise in business rates, which threatens to close hundreds of grassroots music venues. To make this process simple, visit Music Venue Trust, for an easy-to-use resource. By entering your postcode, you’ll find a template email to send directly to your MP, calling on them to raise this issue in Parliament and contact Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Together, we can urge the Government to act before it’s too late.
We also encourage artists, fans, and everyone invested in the future of live music to support the open letter from the Musicians’ Union (MU) and the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), calling for direct action to support grassroots musicians alongside venues. Please show your support by signing the petition here.
Sign the petition