On Thursday the 7th of December, , Liberal Democrat MP for
Bath, called for a parliamentary debate on supporting small and
grassroots music venues across the UK following the closure of
beloved grassroots music venue Moles.
Mrs Hobhouse noted that Moles had been an "incubator for many new
talents and gave many household names their first chance on
stage." She continued to press the government to hold a specific
debate on the importance of small and grassroots music venues
nationwide.
The MP warned that without grassroots venues, there will be no
music industry. She highlighted figures showing over 120 small
music venues in the UK were forced to close last year alone due
to unmanageable cost pressures.
In response, Leader of the House expressed regret at the
closure and agreed on the importance of rebuilding the sector
after the difficulties of the pandemic.
is the Chair of the Music in
Education APPG, and met with the Music Venues Trust earlier this
year to discuss the mounting pressures across the sector, as she
learned that grassroots music venues operate, on average, with a
0.2% profit margin. This makes them uniquely vulnerable to
external factors such as the cost of living crisis and artist
popularity.
, Liberal Democrat MP for
Bath, commented:
“As someone who is deeply passionate about the transformative
power of music, I cannot stress enough how crucial it is to
support grassroots music venues in Bath.
“It is devastating to see Moles, which provided an essential
platform for emerging local artists and musicians to hone their
craft and showcase their talent, forced to close.
“Parliamentarians must come together and show their support for
these all-important community hubs. This must be in the form of
action - not just warm words. Without local small venues, our
cities will lose out on so much joy.”
Moles' Founder and Co-owner, Philip Andrews, said:
“Last year we lost 125 grass roots venues. Bands like Oasis, The
Smiths, Tears For Fears, Supergrass, The Eurythmics, Radiohead
and others too numerous to mention all passed through Moles Club
on their way to international fame.
“But now the cumulative effect of PRS, VAT and rates charges plus
all the other legislation put grass roots music live venues under
extreme threat and without government action there will be no
live music industry in the future.
“It’s too late for Moles but for the sake of other small venues
and the bands of the future, that action cannot come soon
enough.”
