Music Venue Trust launch nationwide #SaveOurVenues campaign
Posted on: 27 Apr 2020It's estimated that as many as 556 venues across the UK are at imminent risk of permanent closure.
Britain's music venues are facing uncertain futures as the COVID-19 crisis wears on.
The ongoing lockdown has cut any and all revenue for independent operators, leaving many staring at a very real threat of closure.
With government support thought to be exhausted, the Music Venue Trust has launched #SaveOurVenues, a nationwide campaign aimed at raising vital funds to protect the UK's most at-risk spaces.
"The situation is dire," reads a statement released by the MVT today. "It now falls to artists, music fans, local communities and the wider industry to take action."
The Trust has estimated that 556 venues are currently at "imminent risk" of permanent closure, with several more expected to fall under the category in coming days and weeks.
Two popular Bristol venues - The Exchange and The Louisiana - have been identified as high-risk by the Trust, and both have voiced their support for the campaign since this morning's launch.
We're joining @MusicVenueTrust 's nationwide campaign to #SaveOurVenues. Exchange is safe for now, but the music community must act together to prevent other local music venues from permanently closing. Visit https://t.co/VxXpGWgRoC to get involved! https://t.co/K8fR9kUUvL pic.twitter.com/XesolSY3fJ
— Exchange Bristol (@exchangebristol) April 27, 2020
From artists to audiences and owners, promoters, bar staff and sound engineers, live venues provide vital opportunities for musicians and fans to connect and represent the livelihoods of thousands of people.
Such is the delicate nature of the music industry and the difficulty with which owners operate independent venues, many of those that are forced to close as a result of the COVID-19 crisis are unlikely to return.
With that in mind, the Music Venue Trust has launched a Crowdfunder as part of the #SaveOurVenues campaign, urging people to support grassroots venues and help them survive an unprecedented threat to their existence.
For more information on the #SaveOurVenues campaign, or to donate to their Crowdfunder, head to the Music Venue Trust website.
Read more:
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Bristol Music: How local venues are responding to the Coronavirus crisis
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LOUD Magazine Issue #2: A Brief History of the Trinity Centre
Article by:
Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.
