What’s The Story? Grassroots glory – Council reveals plan to show massive gig income into assist for smaller venues

Manchester City Council is ready to earmark nearly £250,000 to assist grassroots music venues within the metropolis and assist them share the success of town’s summer time of music.

In latest weeks, tons of of 1000’s of music followers have converged on town to have fun its music scene – 340,000 on the 5 Oasis Heaton Park homecoming gigs alone. Other star names showing in Manchester this summer time embrace Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Charlie XCX, Elbow, Fontaines DC and Robbie Williams.

Over the course of the summer time it has been estimated that Manchester can have attracted 1.3 million music vacationers – an incredible enhance for town’s financial system as a complete, particularly the hospitality business.

These big occasions are additionally producing revenue for the Council, both by being hosted within the metropolis’s largest parks – with industrial preparations for his or her use – or by way of the enterprise charges paid by main venues.

As nicely as reinvesting a part of this income in parks, the Council is planning to put aside £245,000 to be made out there in monetary assist for Manchester’s grassroots venues.

While actual particulars are being finalised, the intention is that the scheme will probably be administered by Music Venue Trust to make sure that the cash will get to the place it’s wanted as rapidly and successfully as potential.

It comes as small venues throughout the nation face a tough financial local weather, with a mixture of accelerating prices and lowering incomes leaving some in a precarious place. One specific problem is a rise in nationally-set enterprise charges. These had been considerably diminished for the sector in response to the impacts of the pandemic, however this monetary 12 months (2025/26) – whereas nonetheless being decrease than pre-pandemic ranges – they’ve gone again up considerably.

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, stated: “Manchester is a giant noise within the music world. This summer time all eyes have been on town as we’ve hosted some big live shows and seen unprecedented success in our massive venues because the EMA MTV Music Awards confirmed.

“But whereas the largest gigs – within the metropolis’s arenas and parks – may dominate the headlines, we all know they’re solely potential as a result of they’re a part of a wider ecosystem with smaller, grassroots venues offering the launchpads for acts to develop and develop.

“We know that throughout the nation grassroots venues are struggling. That’s why we need to make sure that our grassroots venues can share a number of the profit from the success of these massive occasions.

“We’re blessed in Manchester with an array of great smaller venues. They are there to be enjoyed and I’d encouraged anyone who values them to get out and support them.”

Jay Taylor, Music Venue Trust National Co-ordinator, stated: “Music Venue Trust needs to thank and congratulate Manchester City Council for main on this significant assist for grassroots music venues. It’s inspiring to see Manchester recognise its place as one of many world’s main music cities, and acknowledge that the unbelievable grassroots music venue community within the metropolis is a vital cornerstone of the wonderful music being produced by Manchester artists.

“In April, the government reduced business rates relief in England for many grassroots music venues, significantly impacting their long-term sustainability. Manchester City Council has taken the lead with this bold and innovative action and we hope many more cities and towns across the country can join their efforts to secure the future of the UK’s grassroots music venue network.”

Kate Lowes, Director, Brighter Sound (sector lead Manchester Music City) stated: “Grassroots venues sit on the coronary heart of our metropolis’s music scene – supporting rising artists, bringing individuals collectively, and enriching native communities.

“Recent analysis, commissioned by Manchester Music City and delivered by the hub, has proven that enterprise charges reduction is without doubt one of the sector’s most urgent considerations. We due to this fact welcome this announcement and are inspired to see Manchester City Council and Music Venue Trust working in partnership to ship significant and focused assist.

“Manchester Music City is now working with the council to shape a full sector response and action plan, with a further set of actions to be announced this autumn. This type of collaborative approach and investment is essential to ensuring that Manchester remains a city where music and creativity can thrive at every level.”