PM Andy Burnham invests in initiative protecting grassroots music venues
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Prime minister Andy Burnham has invested in an initiative that is helping to protect grassroots music venues, including one in the borough.
The Makerfield MP is one of more than 2,500 people who have invested in Music Venue Properties, which acquires buildings that house grassroots music venues, providing operators with long-term security while also safeguarding the cultural spaces for their communities.
MVP has purchased 10 grassroots music venues to date, including The Snug Coffee House in Atherton.
The venue posted a congratulatory message on Facebook on Monday when Mr Burnham became prime minister, along with a photograph of him there in 2023.
It said: “Andy has consistently supported music and culture, and is himself a shareholder in Music Venue Properties, the organisation that brought The Snug into community ownership.
“I’m very proud to be a member of the Greater Manchester Music Commission, created under Andy’s leadership, and to have witnessed first hand his belief in culture, communities and places too often overlooked by Westminster.
“Today feels like a moment of hope. Hope that things can change. Hope that our towns, grassroots venues, working people and communities will finally be heard.”
MVP’s latest purchase was The Pipeline in Brighton, which sees the venue secure permanent community ownership, protecting it from the “uncertainties of the commercial property market and ensuring it can continue serving Brighton’s music community for generations to come”.
A cornerstone of Brighton’s independent music scene, MVP has said The Pipeline built a reputation for championing emerging artists and provides an essential platform for live music.
DJ, producer and long-time Brighton resident Norman Cook – aka Fatboy Slim – has invested in Music Venue Properties himself and encouraged other musicians, music fans and investors to support the organisation.
“Our thriving music business needs grassroots venues. The next Coldplay or Radiohead need places to hone their skills and find their audience. The grassroots venues continually struggle in the current financial climate, and landlords are not always their friend,” he said.
“Community ownership means they pay fair rent and have security, knowing their venue will not suddenly be turned into a block of flats. MVP is ethical investment that protects venues but also has a sound business model.
“I have invested a substantial sum and I am proud to be able to help protect the nurturing environments for future musicians and DJs. I urge anyone to join me, whether you are successful musician wanting to give something back to the lower rungs of the food chain or a music fan who wants to feel part of the wonderful community. It’s not a donation, it’s an investment in the future of our wonderful music industry.”
Other musicians to have invested include Squeeze co-founder and frontman Glenn Tilbrook and singer-songwriter Katie Melua.
MVP has previously purchased The Ferret in Preston, Le Pub in Newport, The Bunkhouse in Swansea, The Booking Hall in Dover, The Croft in Bristol, The Joiners in Southampton, Northern Guitars in Leeds and Gut Level in Sheffield.
Since launching in 2022, MVP has raised around £7 million through a combination of community investment and cultural partners.