What’s the story? Grassroots glory – hub research and a new grassroots venues fund

Following research carried out by the hub team, Manchester City Council is set to earmark almost £250,000 to support grassroots music venues in the city and help them share the success of the city’s summer of music.

Last year, the hub was commissioned by Manchester Music City (MMC) to carry out research into the city’s grassroots music venue ecology and provide recommendations for how the City Council, MMC and their partners can best address challenges faced by these venues.

Over the course of 18 months we worked on our findings and recommendations with venues, representatives from the City Council and Manchester Music City, and a brilliant advisory group that included members of the Music Venue Trust, LIVE and Attitude is Everything teams.

And we’re so thrilled that this research, due to be published by Manchester Music City in September, is already making a difference. Yesterday, Manchester City Council announced a new £245K fund to support the city’s grassroots venues, responding directly to the research’s key findings around business rates, rising costs, and financial pressures threatening the sector. 

Manchester is a big noise in the music world. This summer all eyes have been on the city as we’ve hosted some huge concerts and seen unprecedented success in our large venues.

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council

Along the way, some people told us it couldn’t be done, but yesterday’s announcement by the City Council is proof that it could. And we couldn’t be happier.

The move comes off the back of a big summer of music for the city – five Oasis Heaton Park homecoming gigs, plus gigs by the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Charlie XCX, Elbow, Fontaines DC and Robbie Williams – with it being estimated that Manchester will have attracted 1.3 million music tourists – a tremendous boost for the city’s economy as a whole, especially the hospitality industry.

These huge events are also generating income for the Council, either by being hosted in the city’s largest parks – with commercial arrangements for their use – or through the business rates paid by major venues. And it’s this which has enabled this Fund to be created. Councillor Craig added:

While the biggest gigs – in the city’s arenas and parks – might dominate the headlines, we know they are only possible because they are part of a wider ecosystem with smaller, grassroots venues providing the launchpads for acts to develop and grow.

“We know that across the country grassroots venues are struggling. That’s why we want to ensure that our grassroots venues can share some of the benefit from the success of those big events. “We’re blessed in Manchester with an array of great smaller venues. They are there to be enjoyed and I’d encouraged anyone who values them to get out and support them.

Kate Lowes, Director, Brighter Sound  (sector lead Manchester Music City), who we worked with closely on the project, commented on the news too:

Grassroots venues sit at the heart of our city’s music scene – supporting emerging artists, bringing people together, and enriching local communities.

Recent research, commissioned by Manchester Music City and delivered by the hub, has shown that business rates relief is one of the sector’s most pressing concerns. We therefore welcome this announcement and are encouraged to see Manchester City Council and Music Venue Trust working in partnership to deliver meaningful and targeted support.

Exact details of the fund are still being finalised, but in a brilliant move, it’s been agreed that it will be administered by Music Venue Trust, ensuring that the money will get to where it is needed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Our full research report, containing detailed findings and recommendations, will be published by MMC in September.