Sir Paul McCartney backs bill to prevent venue closures

The Beatle joins a whole load of musicians in supporting MP John Spellar who is looking to put a stop to the increasing amount of venue closures across the UK.

Date published: 10th Jan 2018

Image: Paul McCartney (credit)

It's no secret that numerous venues closures that have been, and are continuing to take place, up and down the UK - with the likes of Manchester's Free Trade Hall, Roadhouse and Sound Control, Liverpool's Kazimier, Sheffield's Boardwalk, and potentially Bristol's Thekla being forced to shut their doors for good. 

This often comes down to greedy building developers who have no regard for the UK's cultural spaces, and are only interested in lining their own pockets by knocking down these vitally important venues where fledgling artists ply their trade almost every night of the week. Ultimately this has contributed to 35% of music venues being knocked down, in just the last ten years.

In a month where the good people who organise Independent Venue Week continue to champion the importance of these buildings, a whole host of music icons have joined the fight to stop these closures by backing Senior Labour MP John Spellar, who is introducing a bill in the Commons to change planning laws.

The proposed new law is backed by the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Chrissie Hynde, Craig David, Sandie Shaw, Ray Davies, Billy Bragg, Nick Mason and heaps more.

As well as those named above, who have unfortunately succumbed to being shut down, other venues that have had to fight closure threats are London's iconic dance club Ministry of Sound and the 100 Club, where huge names such as Oasis, The Who and Sex Pistols (and McCartney himself) have performed.

Showing his support for the bill, Sir Paul said: "Without the grassroots clubs, pubs and music venues my career could have been very different. If we don't support music at this level, then the future of music in general is in danger."

Show your support here or by attending an Independent Venue Week show, between Monday 29th January and Sunday 4th February.