19.10.2015: Today, the Mayor of London’s Music Venues Taskforce, which includes representatives from UK Music, has produced a new report, London’s Grassroots Music Venues Rescue Plan.

The report indicates that since 2007 London has lost 35% of its grassroots music venues and that the sector could be under further threat unless certain recommendations, such as the introduction of the “agent-of change” principle and a review of business rate for venues, are not implemented.

UK Music organised a roundtable meeting with representatives of the live sector in London and the GLA at the beginning of 2015. Out of this meeing, the Mayor of London’s Music Venues Taskforce was formed.

Commenting on the report, UK Music CEO Jo Dipple said: “UK Music, the umbrella body for the commercial music industry, has been an enthusiastic member of the Mayor of London’s Music Venue Taskforce which was formed to address the decline in grassroots music venues in the capital. We look forward to considering the report further with our members.

Grassroots music venues act as important hubs for local music talent and offer a means by which musicians and performers can cultivate and nurture their creativity.

Whilst music venues in the capital have been closing at an alarming rate in recent years, it is important to remember that this is not solely a London problem. Similar problems are faced in the rest of the country. UK Music is keen to work with venues to improve guidance provided on issues, such as developing a planning toolkit.

UK Music will work with local authorities across the land on the issues raised in this report, and will increase our lobbying efforts at a national level where central government has a role to abate venue closures.”

You can read the full report here: http://bit.ly/1OO7AHG