Music Venue Trust’s plan for government support of crucial clubs

It has been a pretty tough month for UK nightlife. Starting with so much promise, as we prepared to return to normality, it has since capsized with the news of a (minimum) four-week extension of COVID-19 restrictions – effectively slamming the door shut for any substantial nightlife whatsoever. 

In light of the decision to extend the restrictions and following their recent warning that grassroots venues will face closure because of the delay on the proposed 21st June opening date, UK charity The Music Venue Trust has released its proposed six-point plan for government support of grassroots clubs.

The plan includes several propositions, including extending the moratorium on commercial evictions from 30th June to 30th September, immediately releasing funds held for Culture Recovery Fund 3, and working with local authorities to release undistributed restart grant money, currently £1.6 billion.

The MVT also suggests the UK government should explore the Australian model of rent debt settlement. “Not pursuing an equal division of the burden of unpaid rent across the sector distorts the marketplace, resulting in venues on the same street being heavily in debt or debt-free based on decisions by their landlord,” it says.

They also state: “It is not just that the government needs to take positive action to prevent closures, through distributing the £300 million fund that it already has, ensuring that the impact of COVID debt is distributed equally between key stakeholders, and ensuring grassroots music venues are prioritised for restart grants. It is also the case that the government needs to take its foot off the accelerator of tax, legislation and debt that it imagined would be able to be addressed from 21 June and apply a brake to its demands on the sector it is restricting.”

Check out the six-point plan via Twitter below.