Manchester City Council will allocate £245,000 to support grassroots music venues across the city, using revenue generated from Manchester’s huge summer of live music, it has announced.
With an estimated 1.3 million music tourists visiting the city this summer – including 340,000 fans attending five Oasis homecoming gigs at Heaton Park – the economic boost has been felt across the hospitality sector.
Major concerts from artists including Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Elbow, Fontaines D.C. and Robbie Williams have also contributed to increased revenues through commercial park use and business rates.
Now, the council plans to reinvest some of that income back into the grassroots ecosystem that supports the city’s global music reputation.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “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 as the EMA MTV Music Awards showed.
“But 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 encourage anyone who values them to get out and support them.”
The funding will be administered by Music Venue Trust to ensure that it reaches venues most in need as quickly and effectively as possible.
Jay Taylor, Music Venue Trust National Co-ordinator, said: “Music Venue Trust wants to thank and congratulate Manchester City Council for leading on this crucial support for grassroots music venues. It’s inspiring to see Manchester recognise its place as one of the world’s leading music cities, and acknowledge that the fantastic grassroots music venue network in the city is an essential cornerstone of the amazing music being produced by Manchester artists.
“In April, the government reduced business rates relief in England for many grassroots music venues, significantly impacting their long-term sustainability. Manchester City Council has taken the lead with this bold and innovative action and we hope many more cities and towns across the country can join their efforts to secure the future of the UK’s grassroots music venue network.”
The move comes at a challenging time for small venues nationally, with a rise in business rates – after pandemic-era reductions – placing additional financial pressure on already strained budgets.
Kate Lowes, Director of Brighter Sound (sector lead for Manchester Music City), said: “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.
“Manchester Music City is now working with the council to shape a full sector response and action plan, with a further set of actions to be announced this autumn. This type of collaborative approach and investment is essential to ensuring that Manchester remains a city where music and creativity can thrive at every level.”
The council says it also remains committed to reinvesting part of its event revenue into Manchester’s parks, which hosted many of the summer’s largest concerts.
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