Manchester Council Creates £250,000 Fund For Grassroots Music Venues

Manchester City Council will use revenue generated from large events, including Oasis’s concerts at Heaton Park, to create a £250,000 fund supporting grassroots music venues in the city. This initiative aims to bolster smaller venues that nurture emerging artists, recognizing their essential role in Manchester's music ecosystem, especially amid reductions in government business rates relief. The fund is expected to be managed by the Music Venue Trust, although details on distribution are still being finalized. Meanwhile, Brent Council in London is considering implementing a visitor tax on overnight stays and a potential ticket levy for events at Wembley Stadium and Arena to fund local improvements and support grassroots music and cultural institutions. Council leader Muhammed Butt has requested legal authority from the UK government to impose these charges, citing residents’ concerns about not receiving a fair share of benefits from the area's event-driven economy and highlighting the financial pressures on public services caused by large-scale events. Both councils reflect a broader trend of leveraging revenues from major concerts to sustain smaller venues and offset the community impacts of large entertainment gatherings.