UK grassroots music venues shrink by nine in 2025 as sector shows signs of stabilising

The number of grassroots music venues in the UK fell by a net nine in 2025, the smallest annual decline since 2018, the Music Venue Trust (MVT) said, signalling a possible stabilisation of the sector five years on from the pandemic. Between July 2024 and 2025, 30 venues closed permanently and 48 ceased functioning as GMVs, citing financial viability, change in ownership and eviction or redevelopment, while 69 spaces that had previously stopped operating returned to the sector.

The MVT’s report said the sector generated £76.6m of revenue in 2025, but 53.8% of GMVs reported making no profit and the average profit margin was 2.5%. A total of 38% of GMVs are now not-for-profit. Employment in the sector fell by almost 22%, from 30,885 to 24,242 people, with venues citing national insurance increases for employers as the principal cause of job losses.

The MVT warned that "the majority of venues are one financial shock away from crisis" and said its emergency response service handled a record number of appeals over financial insecurity, neighbouring planning applications and pressure from music licensing bodies. The MVT called on government to legislate for a grassroots levy, rather than leave it voluntary, and to enshrine the agent of change policy in law.

Key Topics

Culture, Music Venue Trust, Grassroots Music Venues, Grassroots Levy, Live Nation, National Insurance