A wave of relief washed over the UK music scene as two iconic venues, The Croft in Bristol and The Joiners in Southampton, secured their futures thanks to a groundbreaking campaign.
These aren't just buildings; they are hallowed grounds where countless bands have honed their craft and ignited the passions of generations. The Croft, recently reopened, faced an uncertain fate until a pivotal purchase ensured its survival.
“As one of the most important live music venues ever to exist in the UK, this is a win for all independent live music across the globe,” declared Marc Griffiths of World Famous Dive Bars. “With this now in place, we will be here for another sixty years and potentially FOREVER!”
The success stems from the “Own Our Venues” campaign, a remarkable initiative that has raised nearly £4 million through community investment and cultural funding. Music fans, contributing as little as £50, became stakeholders in preserving these vital spaces.
The Joiners and The Croft now join a growing family of community-owned venues, including The Snug, The Ferret, Le Pub, The Bunkhouse, and The Booking Hall – each a beacon of independent music.
Glenn Tilbrook, co-founder of Squeeze, passionately emphasized the importance of protecting these cultural landmarks. “We must do everything we can to ensure that these buildings are protected from development and the venues safeguarded for generations to come.”
These venues aren’t merely entertainment spaces; they are essential for nurturing local talent and providing affordable access to culture within communities.
The key to this preservation lies in the innovative “cultural lease” created by MVP. This lease offers long-term security, fair rent, and vital support for maintenance and operational best practices.
This isn’t simply a landlord-tenant relationship; it’s a partnership built on a shared commitment to music and community, allowing venues to focus on their core mission.
Joe Talbot, frontman of IDLES, hailed The Croft’s return to community ownership as a “dream.” He envisions these spaces as catalysts for connection and change, the very birthplace of revolution.
The campaign’s momentum doesn’t stop here. Seven more venues – Esquires, The Sugarmill, Peggy’s Skylight, The Pipeline, Northern Guitars, Gut Level, and Little Buildings – are targeted for public ownership.
Matt Otridge, COO of Own Our Venues, stresses the urgency. The fight to save these spaces is far from over, and requires a collective effort from the industry, artists, government, and music fans alike.
“We are calling on everyone… to come together and invest what they can,” Otridge implored. “Every contribution helps us to secure more venues, and each investor can then proudly say: We own these venues.”
This is more than just saving venues; it’s about empowering communities to safeguard their cultural heritage for generations to come.
