London's 100 Club becomes first grassroots music venue to be granted special status

Earlier this week, The Music Venue Trust announced government plans to cut business rates for small and medium sized music venues by 50%, which will come into force in April.

Complete Music Update reported that Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd said, "The extension of the relief will see 230 grassroots music venues across England and Wales benefit, with the average saving per venue equating to a reduction in overheads of £7500 per annum."

Today (29 January), London's 100 Club - which has hosted performances from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Oasis, The Sex Pistols, and many others - has become the first venue to be granted special status under the NNDR Localism Relief after experiencing financial pressures over the past decade, and will benefit from 100% business rates relief, which could result in the venue in saving up to £76,000 a year.

Venue owner Jeff Horton says of the news, "I’m thrilled the 100 Club has been granted this new business rates relief. It means we can continue to support the careers of the hundreds of artists who take to our stage each year. This is a game changing approach from a local authority in supporting grassroots music venues. I’m grateful to Westminster Council and for the continued support of the Mayor of London and the Night
Czar."

Horton adds, "I hope that other local authorities will adopt a similar forward thinking approach to support the music industry."

Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods says of the venue, "My first recollection of the 100 Club was being pulled in as a young kid looking at black and white photos of Steve Jones doing this kind of piss take Jimmy Page guitar pose and next to him this bizarre looking singer, John Rotten. The 100 Club sign that was behind them hasn’t changed. I always touch that sign when we play and imagine those old days when the stage partly gave birth to Punk Rock. It’s not changed at all. I can't tell you how pleased we were to hear that the threat of closure had abated due to the award from Westminster Council. Long live the 100 Club!"