Independent Venue Week 2020: reported financial boosts for grassroots venues

The news could be crucial in maintaining important live music spaces across the UK.

Date published: 28th Jan 2020

News that venues across the UK are set to receive a much needed financial boost has come at the perfect time, with Independent Venue Week 2020 in full swing.

It has been reported that 230 small and medium-sized venues in England and Wales will see a 50% reduction in business rates, a fee which is charged to most non-domestic properties.

The Independent Venues Trust suggest that should save each venue an average of £7,500 a year, and this is hugely important to the future of British music, with many talented musicians over the years relying on the tiniest of live stages to hone the craft.

Successful bands and artists up and down the country paved the way for their own careers at such as Avalanche Party (above) who we chatted to back at IVW 2018 about the importance of our grassroots live music spaces, and this week's news of financial boosts is extremely encouraging with regard to the future of these venues.

Image: Emma Swann