The threat to the UK’s independent music venues has never been stronger. The cost-of-living crisis has made going out an expense that many live music fans can no longer afford; combine that with skyrocketing energy bills and a dwindling touring circuit, and venues are struggling to keep their doors open.
All of this was reflected in the Music Venue Trust’s 2025 annual report, which found that more than half of the UK’s grassroots music venues (GMVs) failed to make any profit in 2025. The impact on the industry has been stark: 30 venues permanently closed their doors last year and a total of 6,000 jobs (around 20 per cent of the industry workforce) were lost.
