LONDON — A significant initiative is underway in the U.K. as several essential grassroots music venues are gearing up to transition into shared community ownership as part of the second phase of an innovative, community-driven project aimed at revitalizing the local music scene.
The Music Venue Properties initiative, developed by the Music Venue Trust (MVT) under the framework of a Charitable Community Benefit Society (CBS), is dedicated to safeguarding grassroots music venues by enabling their transition into community ownership. This strategic move is designed to free these venues from the constraints of traditional commercial leases imposed by landlords, ensuring their long-term viability and cultural significance.
Included in the next phase of this transformative project are seven iconic grassroots music venues: Esquires in Bedford; The Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent; The Joiners in Southampton; The Croft in Bristol; Peggy’s Skylight in Nottingham; The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle; and The Pipeline in Brighton. This community share offer is set to launch on May 15, 2025, and will remain open until July 31, 2025, providing an exciting opportunity for local supporters to invest in their beloved venues.
The inaugural phase of the Own Our Venues initiative took place in 2023 and successfully raised an impressive £2.88m ($3.83m) to secure the ownership of several venues across the U.K. Notable establishments such as The Bunkhouse in Swansea, Wales, and The Snug in Atherton, England, were included in this first wave of ownership, reinforcing the importance of community-driven action in preserving live music culture.
According to an accompanying press release, this initiative introduces a revolutionary “cultural lease” that significantly surpasses the conventional 18-month commercial lease that many venues are typically bound by. These cultural leases are designed to provide fair and sustainable rent, annual contributions for essential maintenance, and ongoing support in critical areas such as financial sustainability and operational best practices, ensuring these venues are not only preserved but thrive in the long run.
Ricky Bates, the operator of The Joiners in Southampton, expressed his enthusiasm for the next phase of this initiative, stating, “We welcome Music Venue Properties’ ownership of our building as the only real solution to securing one of the most important live music venues in the UK. For nearly 60 years, The Joiners has been an integral part of the UK touring circuit and a pivotal creative hub in Southampton, yet its future now hangs in the balance. Our lease is set to expire this year, our landlord is retiring, and while the venue boasts a rich history, the structure itself is over 200 years old and requires significant care.”
“In the current economic climate, it is simply not feasible for us as individuals to purchase the property. However, through the support of the Own Our Venues campaign and the broader music community, we can secure The Joiners for the next 60 years and beyond. Join us in this historic movement—get involved and help protect grassroots music for future generations.”
This initiative represents the latest effort by the U.K. music community to combat the alarming trend of independent venue closures and to bolster support for grassroots musicians. On May 14, the team behind The Leadmill in Sheffield, England, announced that their eviction appeal had been denied, leaving them with just three months to vacate the premises. The venue’s landlord, The Electric Group, operates several other venues across the U.K., including Electric Brixton in London, SWX in Bristol, and NX in Newcastle. Over the years, legendary artists such as Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Pulp, and Coldplay have graced the stage at The Leadmill, highlighting its significance in the music landscape.
