Manchester launches £245k Grassroots Music Venue Fund with Music Venue Trust

Manchester City Council has teamed up with Music Venue Trust (MVT) to launch a £245,000 fund supporting the city’s grassroots music venues, aiming to protect the spaces that keep Manchester’s live scene thriving.

Announced last week, the Grassroots Music Venue Fund is described by MVT as a “targeted fix to stop vital venues being priced out of the city they helped put on the map.” The initiative follows the UK government’s decision to reduce Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Rate Relief from 75% to 40%, a change expected to hit independent venues hard through 2026.

The new scheme offers grants covering 35% of a venue’s 2025/26 business rates liability, up to £20,000, to ease financial pressure on small venues that regularly host live shows. To qualify, applicants must operate as a live music venue in Manchester, stage around three or four events per week, or consistently feature music as part of a wider cultural programme.

While Manchester’s nightlife grew by 4.3% in 2024, the wider North West recorded 19 closures in the same period, underlining how vital local support remains for grassroots spaces. For many, this fund could be a crucial lifeline as business rates and running costs continue to climb.

Applications for the Grassroots Music Venue Fund are open now until Friday 28th November, with successful venues expected to receive payments by January 2026. Venues can apply via the Music Venue Trust or Manchester City Council.

Looking for more ways to support Manchester’s live scene? Find upcoming gigs and club nights in Manchester on Skiddle.

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