A much-loved Glasgow music venue is on track to be rescued after major stars threw their support behind a campaign to protect UK grassroots music venues.
The Glad Cafe on Pollokshaws Road has been helped by the Own Our Venues campaign launched by the Music Venue Trust (MVT).
The popular music spot is a non-profit venue and local creative hub which has hosted countless acts including Deacon Blue. The venue will be among the first to benefit from the scheme – allowing The Glad Cafe to continue to provide a platform for local emerging artists and large touring bands.
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The Own Our Venue fundraiser is coming in close to target, currently sitting at £1.8m with 12 days remaining until investment closes on March 30 - with MVT aiming to purchase its first venue in April.
The Glad Cafe in Glasgow is one of nine pilot venues that, if the target is reached, it will be purchased by Music Venue Trust.
Speaking on the initiative, Rory Haye, founding director and venue manager of The Glad Cafe said: “It would be a game changer for The Glad Cafe to have MVP as a supportive landlord who understands the challenges of running a music venue in a residential community.”
The ‘Own Our Venues’ concept is built on the Community Share model that has successfuly saved local pubs, post offices and sports grounds.
On completion of purchase the venues will be offered an immediate rent reduction and help contribute to building repairs and insurance, while also guaranteeing long term security and market resistant rents.
Since the launch of the ‘Own Our Venues’ initiative, hundreds of individuals, companies and organisations have already pledged their support to the project. These include high profile investors such as Ed Sheeran, Frank Turner and musician-turned-venue owner Ben Lovett, alongside major music industry companies such as Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music. Arts Council England has also confirmed a grant of £500,000 to the project.
Mark Davyd, CEO and Founder of MVT said, “We know that changing the ownership model of grassroots music venues is the single most important change we can make to this sector. The best people to Own Our Venues are the people who love them, need them and use them. We want to see everyone who has a stake in the future of these venues become a direct financial stakeholder in that future; local communities, artists, audiences, the music industry. The success of these venues is vital to the future of live music for all of us. This isn’t a time to sit on the sidelines hoping someone else will do this for us, it’s down to us to make it happen.”
Those who wish make a one off donation can do so here.
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