The number of grassroots music venues in London is now stable for the first year since 2007, a new report has claimed.
The research by the London Music Board published to mark Independent Venue Week shows that there were as many openings of venues as closures during 2016.
London’s 94 grassroots music venues contribute £91.8m per year to London’s economy and support 2,260 full time jobs.
For every £10 spent on tickets to grassroots music venues in London, £17 is spent nearby on food, drink and transport. £44m a year is invested by London’s grassroots music venues in talent development, highlighting their importance in discovering emerging artists.
Amy Lamé, night czar and chair of the London Music Board, said: ‘As London’s night czar and the new chair of the London Music Board, I’m deeply committed to protecting live music venues across the capital.
‘Over the past few years we’ve lost too many of these amazing venues so it’s vital that we act now to protect the ones we have and to encourage new places to open. Although these first signs of recovery are encouraging, it’s important to recognise that more work needs to take place to secure the future of the capital as a centre for music.’
She continued: ‘In my first three months as night czar, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many venue owners, developers and local authorities to see how we can work together and I’ve been encouraged by the conversations I’ve had so far.
‘For example, today’s announcement that the future of Village Underground has been secured for the next 15 years is a fantastic example of how venues and councils can work together. Over the coming months, I look forward to publishing my vision for a 24-hour city, and taking further steps to protect venues across the capital.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has welcomed the new progress report on the state of London’s grassroots music venues, hailing it as a ‘major step towards rebuilding London’s live music scene’.
The progress report of the Rescue Plan for London’s Grassroots Music Venues, alongside the original rescue plan, can be downloaded here - london.gov.uk/musicvenues.
The research by the London Music Board published to mark Independent Venue Week shows that there were as many openings of venues as closures during 2016.
London’s 94 grassroots music venues contribute £91.8m per year to London’s economy and support 2,260 full time jobs.
For every £10 spent on tickets to grassroots music venues in London, £17 is spent nearby on food, drink and transport. £44m a year is invested by London’s grassroots music venues in talent development, highlighting their importance in discovering emerging artists.
Amy Lamé, night czar and chair of the London Music Board, said: ‘As London’s night czar and the new chair of the London Music Board, I’m deeply committed to protecting live music venues across the capital.
‘Over the past few years we’ve lost too many of these amazing venues so it’s vital that we act now to protect the ones we have and to encourage new places to open. Although these first signs of recovery are encouraging, it’s important to recognise that more work needs to take place to secure the future of the capital as a centre for music.’
She continued: ‘In my first three months as night czar, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many venue owners, developers and local authorities to see how we can work together and I’ve been encouraged by the conversations I’ve had so far.
‘For example, today’s announcement that the future of Village Underground has been secured for the next 15 years is a fantastic example of how venues and councils can work together. Over the coming months, I look forward to publishing my vision for a 24-hour city, and taking further steps to protect venues across the capital.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has welcomed the new progress report on the state of London’s grassroots music venues, hailing it as a ‘major step towards rebuilding London’s live music scene’.
The progress report of the Rescue Plan for London’s Grassroots Music Venues, alongside the original rescue plan, can be downloaded here - london.gov.uk/musicvenues.