Grassroots wins – £500k distributed by LIVE Trust & business rates support for pubs
Last week saw two big wins for UK grassroots music, including government support for UK pubs and charity funding distribution.
We’ve covered plenty of news over the last few years about the continuing struggle of grassroots music, in the UK and beyond. The picture, particularly since the major blow of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been consistently gloomy, albeit with glimmers of hope. Last week saw two beams of positivity bursting through the clouds for UK grassroots music. Firstly, the UK government has finally made moves around business rates for pubs – which are crucial spaces for independent music – and, secondly, LIVE Trust made its first distribution of funding to various grassroots entities.
On the 27th of January, the UK government announced a support package designed to back British pubs. As Music Ally notes, business rates were due to jump up this spring for hospitality venues like pubs and venues. With establishments already struggling financially, this move would have surely spelled the end for many communities’ vital spaces. With many pubs doubling as venues, particularly for emerging or independent artists, this would have been a significant step backwards for grassroots music.
The support package will see pubs get a 15% cut to new rates bills from April, with a two-year real-terms freeze afterwards. In addition, a review into the method used to value pubs for business rates will be conducted as part of the government’s commitment to the reform of the business rates system.
The government’s announcement stated, “Pubs will get a 15% cut to new business rates bills from April followed by a two-year real-terms freeze, as well as a review into the method used to value them for business rates.”
The second piece of good news for grassroots music came from LIVE Trust, which announced the first distribution phase of charitable funding to its live music industry partners.
The funding comes from a voluntarily £1 levy per ticket on shows with a 5000+ capacity. Now, £500,000 is being divvied out to LIVE’s partners, and the money is expected to give an immediate positive impact to recipients.
LIVE Trust chair, Kirsty McShannon said, “This truly is a landmark moment for the Trust as this first phase of funding is delivered to our partners. Their plans are exciting and will deliver real, lasting change for artists, venues, promoters, festivals and the next generation of crew across the UK.”
Music Ally has the broken down portions of the funding, reporting that £200k will be used to support grassroots venues via Music Venue Trust. Then, £125k will be going to a UK Artists Touring Fund, £75k to a bursary scheme for independent promoters, and £50k to a development programme for micro and very small festivals. The remainder of the funding will go to grassroots initiatives and projects around Scotland, Belfast, as well as a project aimed at promoting training and jobs in events production.
Creative Industries Minister Ian Murray said, “The UK’s world-famous music industry relies on the strength of our live music scene. It is brilliant to see those at the top of the business are supporting the grassroots and shoring up the pipeline of British talent.” Urging the bigger players in the industry to continue donating and funding, Murray went on to say, “I would continue to urge all major players in the music industry to get involved, to bolster the grassroots and secure the British stars of the future.”