Music Venue Properties (MVP), the innovative Charitable Community Benefit Society established by the Music Venue Trust (MVT), has announced the next crucial phase of its ‘Own Our Venues’ initiative. This ambitious project aims to secure the long-term futures of a further seven iconic grassroots music venues (GMVs) across the UK through a second community share offering.
Following the resounding success of its inaugural campaign in 2023, which raised an impressive £2.88 million and successfully brought five vital venues into community ownership, MVP is once again calling upon music enthusiasts and local communities to invest in the protection of these invaluable cultural spaces.
The ‘Own Our Venues’ initiative directly tackles the vulnerability of GMVs operating under commercial leases by transitioning them into community ownership. This model provides much-needed stability, fostering local talent and enriching local cultural infrastructure. The first phase saw The Snug in Atherton, The Ferret in Preston, Le Pub in Newport, The Bunkhouse in Swansea, and The Booking Hall in Dover secured for the future.
Now, MVP has unveiled plans to acquire seven more cherished venues through a second community share offer, launching today, May 15th, 2025, and running until July 31st, 2025. The focus of this drive is to purchase longstanding and beloved music hubs, including Esquires in Bedford, Stoke-on-Trent’s The Sugarmill, and Southampton’s The Joiners. Alongside these stalwarts, the initiative aims to secure key community spaces such as The Croft in Bristol, Peggy’s Skylight in Nottingham, The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle, and The Pipeline in Brighton.
Ricky Bates, Venue Operator of The Joiners, Southampton, emphasized the urgency, stating, “Our lease expires this year, our landlord is retiring, and the building needs care. Community ownership through MVP is the only real solution to secure our future.” Gareth Barber, Director of Bedford Esquires, echoed this, highlighting the threat of development and the vital role the venue plays in the local community.
Matthew Otridge, Chief Operating Officer of MVP, underscored the critical issue of property ownership for GMVs, noting that a significant percentage of venues have closed in recent years. He asserted that community ownership offers a “real, sustainable solution” and that MVP’s track record demonstrates its effectiveness.
This second community share offer presents a unique opportunity for music lovers to directly contribute to the preservation of vital cultural spaces for generations to come. More information and supporting documents are available on the Music Venue Properties website: www.musicvenueproperties.com.
