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Half of UK's Grassroot Music Venues Make No Profit
Over 30 grassroots music venues closed and 6,000 jobs were lost in 2025 as profit margins remained critically low at 2.5%, the Music Venue Trust said.
- The Music Venue Trust's 2025 report, released in recent years, found 53% of grassroots music venues made no profit, despite contributing over $671 million to the UK economy.
- Rising operating costs have left grassroots music venues with average profit margins of just 2.5%, as MVT said UK Government's national insurance and business rates changes drive many into loss.
- The report shows that over the past year, 30 grassroots music venues closed, 6,000 jobs were lost, and attendance increased by 13% to 21 million at GMVs.
- MVT warns government may legislate if voluntary £1 grassroots levy adopted by major artists and venues does not materialise by June 2026, with a £2 million support plan in place.
- Looking to 2026, the trust argues MVT will develop Liveline national touring programme to cover venue costs and restore touring, after grassroots subsidised live music by �76.6 million despite �8billion arena revenues.
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Over Half of U.K. Grassroots Venues Unprofitable In 2025, Says Music Venue Trust
More than half (53%) of grassroots music venues in the United Kingdom were unable to turn a profit in 2025, according to the annual report of the Music Venue Trust. Released Tuesday (Jan. 20) at the industry body’s annual conference, which took place at London’s V&A Museum, the report details how the grassroots live sector contributes over £500 million ($671 million) annually to the U.K. economy but its structure remains precarious. The rep…
·United States
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Evening Standard+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
More than half of grassroots music venues did not make money in 2025 – charity
The Music Venue Trust found that despite contributing over half a million pounds to the UK economy, grassroots music venues in the UK are struggling.
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left, 50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left, 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 50%
C 50%
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