PRS for Music has announced the first two regional winners of its Back to Live Music Venue Prize. The County Music Bar, a rock and metal venue in Chesterfield, was announced as the winner in the Midlands and North of England, while Carmarthen’s grassroots music bar CWRW won in Wales.
Each venue will receive £10,000 to upgrade their space and assist with post-COVID recovery. The County Music Bar owners Phillip and Lauren Deacon plan on using the PRS for Music prize money to improve their sound and lighting equipment and staging, and to update the green rooms and rehearsal space. CWRW owner Michael Hilton also plans on using the £10,000 to upgrade his venue’s lighting, as well as adding new recording capabilities. He will also use the funds to create a more inclusive space, so attendees with disabilities can participate and access live music events.
The nationwide competition was launched by PRS for Music to give independent live music venues across the UK the chance to win one of six regional prizes and inject much-needed financial support into venues who are dedicated to improving live music experiences in their local communities. Open to independent live music venues who are not part of a national brand, and whose offering included music prior to pandemic closures, winning venues were determined by a judging panel made up of leading representatives from across the music, arts, and hospitality sectors. Four more UK regional Back to Live Music Venue Prize winners will be announced over the coming months.
CWRW owner Michael Hilton says, ‘Winning PRS for Music’s Back to Live Music Venue Prize is incredible. Incentives like these are fundamentally important for grassroots venues like ours to continue to provide creative spaces for the community and emerging talent to develop their skills. The funds will be used to develop the audience experience, inclusion and continuing to support the next generation of artists.’
Phillip Deacon, co-owner of The County Music Bar, says, ‘We are hugely thankful to PRS for Music for this initiative and of course for the recognition in winning this award. We as a venue had barely survived the pandemic and know of many that didn’t. However, we did. This is a testament to the support from bands and fans alike who rallied around as soon as we could provide entertainment again. We now, however, face the perfect storm. Recovery from the pandemic, facing a cost-of-living crisis and a frankly ludicrous energy bill hike of nearly 550%. This money will provide a significant breathing space to repair and replace equipment and better facilities for all while we focus on our further survival in these difficult times. We want to continue to be a local music hub for all and provide access to up and coming as well as more established bands.’
