'Losing this venue in Manchester would be a great loss'

More than three in twenty grassroots music venues have closed across the UK in the last year, according to an industry body - as venues in Manchester plead with the government for more help.

The Music Venue Trust has revealed the startling statistic that 15.7 percent of small venues have closed for good over the last 12 months. The 125 closures, it says, means 4,000 jobs, 14,250 events, 193,230 performance opportunities, £9 million of income for musicians, and £59 million in direct economic activity has been lost.

The news has come to light in an open letter sent by the Trust to Jeremy Hunt, asking the Chancellor to extend an existing 75 per cent business rate relief beyond April 2024 in the autumn statement. For its part, the Treasury says it ‘recognise the challenges music venues face’.

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But the rate relief is not a perk — it’s vital to staying afloat, Claire Turner, the general manager at Northern Quarter jazz club Matt & Phreds has told the M.E.N. She said: “The business rates relief Matt & Phreds received through being a MVT member was crucial to our ongoing battle with rising costs within the business.

“Matt & Phreds is a much-loved grassroots music venue with visitors from all over the world. Losing this venue in Manchester would be a great loss to the community, musicians, sound engineers and the M&P Team.

“We hope the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt looks favourably upon the grassroots music sector and sees the importance of what the venues bring to the wider community and the research and development afforded to artists in the