UK grassroots music venues show lowest decline since 2018 as sector stabilises post-pandemic

The number of grassroots music venues (GMV) in the UK shrank in effect by just nine in 2025, the lowest rate of annual decline since 2018.Thirty venues closed permanently between July 2024 and 2025 and 48 ceased functioning as GMVs, citing financial viability, change in ownership and eviction or redevelopment. However, 69 spaces that had previously ceased operating as GMVs returned to the sector.The figures suggest the stabilisation of the sector five years on from the pandemic, according to the Music Venue Trust’s (MVT) annual report. It generated £76.6m of revenue in 2025 – although more than half of GMVs (53.8%) reported making no profit in the period, with the average profit margin being just 2.5%. A total of 38% of GMVs are now not-for-profit.Employment in the sector is also down by almost 22%, a significant drop from 30,885 to 24,242 people, with venues citing national insurance increases for employers as the principal cause of job losses.The MVT said that “the majority of venues are one financial shock away from crisis”.Additionally, the MVT said its emergency response service dealt with a record number of appeals from venues facing financial insecurity, neighbouring planning applications and pressure from music licensing bodies.Cate Le Bon performing at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds in 2016. Photograph: Andrew Benge/RedfernsThe MVT has called for the government to legislate – rather than just back – the introduction of the grassroots levy, in which UK arena and stadium shows add £1 to all tickets to create a fund to support GMVs.Currently, the scheme is voluntary. Some venues, including London’s O2 Arena, as well as artists including Sam Fender and Katy Perry, have independently added £1 to ticket prices.But Guardian reporting found that Live Nation, which controls 66% of the UK’s major event ticket market, had not taken the pledge. In a statement, a spokesperson told the Guardian that it supported the aims of the levy and found it “encouraging” to see artists they worked with opting in.The MVT also called on the government to enshrine the agent of change policy in law – meaning that any new development being built next to an existing live music venue must handle its own noise protection. Additionally, it asked the government to continue to work to reduce barriers to touring after Brexit, and make sure that funds including the Music Growth Scheme support grassroots talent.Under its own auspices, the MVT said it would expand its frontline venue support team and emergency hardship fund, which provide advice and money to prevent what it called “avoidable closures”. It said it would also immediately invest £2m into programmes designed to reduce operating costs, raise efficiency and improve the experiences of artists and audiences.Its Liveline touring programme is proposed as a “fully funded solution to the root cause of the touring crisis”, covering venue costs, reducing risk for promoters and guaranteeing artist fees.The MVT also drew attention to how underserved many areas of the UK are by even grassroots tours. It said that 175 UK towns and cities that had at least one GMV did not host any significant touring artists in the period. But Guardian reporting found that the UK touring map was expanding: last year, Denis Desmond, chair of Live Nation UK & Ireland, said: “Compared to 2015, we’re hosting events in 40% more towns across the UK – showing that demand really is nationwide.”