Gary Mather for Live4ever
Independent music venues across the UK are breathing a sigh of relief today after being given a share of the government’s arts fund package.
A grant of £257m has been split between 1,385 arts institutions during the past few days, giving a much needed lifeline to some of the UK’s best, and more important, grassroots music venues in the process at a time when restrictions are being tightened once more. Some of these include the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds, the Cavern Club in Liverpool, London’s Islington Assembly Hall and 100 Club, Manchester’s Gorilla and Deaf Institute, the Hebden Bridge Trades Club and the Brighton Dome.
“There’s so much good news out there, with dozens and dozens of key venues now guaranteed to survive through to April,” the Music Venue Trust’s Mark Davyd has told NME. “That’s an absolute game-changer. It’s come about three or four weeks past people’s tolerance levels, but it’s incredibly positive. That’s over 200 venues funded just in the first round, and we’ve got the opportunity to save more in the second round.
“We’ve got the Welsh funding announcement coming later this week or early next, some Scottish money has already gone out with more to come, so the main pressure falls on Scotland and Northern Ireland now to see what they do.”
