Music Venue Trust calls on councils to invest in Own Our Venues campaign after Preston City Council contributes £150k loan

Music Venue Trust's Own Our Venues campaign was launched in May 2022, and aims to help UK grassroots music venues secure a long-term future by purchasing the freehold of the properties, and today the charity is calling on local councils to contribute to the fundraising campaign before it ends on 30 March.

Recently, Preston City Council contributed a £150,000 loan to the campaign to help save Preston venue The Ferret, which is one of nine venues highlighted in the scheme.

Cllr Rawlinson, Deputy Leader of Preston City Council said: "Live music venues are an important part of our city centre arts scene and without independent venues like The Ferret, local bands would have nowhere to go to get the experience they need, playing in front of a live audience.

"The Music Venue Trust have done a great job raising the profile of our struggling music venues across the UK. We felt that it was important that we did what we could to help support the Ferret’s campaign to raise the funds to purchase the building and stop it from being sold for commercial development. We wish the Music Venue Trust and The Ferret the best of luck in securing the funding they need.

"Having MVT as its new landlord would give the venue greater security and confidence in its future and allow the team to continue to invest in the city’s grassroots music scene."

Cllr Peter Kelly, Cabinet Member for Arts and Culture added: "We are delighted to have been able to help Music Venue Trust and The Ferret with a loan to help meet their fundraising target and their plight to save the building from redevelopment. We hope that MVT can find the remaining funds and the venue can be saved for the residents of Preston, and all the local bands that have the venue to thank for helping them on their musical journey over the years."

Matthew Otridge, Ownership Coordinator, Music Venue Trust, also said: "We are delighted that Preston City Council are supporting our efforts to save The Ferret and move it into Community Ownership. Like The Ferret, the GMVs we are looking to purchase at this stage are at the forefront of the live music provision in their towns and cities - In fact, some are the only remaining live music venue. It is therefore imperative that other local Councils follow PCCs lead and support this campaign in recognition of these vital cultural and community hubs. We must Own Our Venues."

The first round of venues included in the Own Our Venues campaign also features The Snug in Atherton, Newport's Le Pub, The Glad Café in Glasgow, Derby's The Hairy Dog, Sunbird in Darwen, Hull's The Polar Bear, The Palladium in Bideford, and Swansea's Bunkhouse.