Ed Sheeran backs Music Venue Trust’s ‘Own Our Venues’ campaign

nme.com:

Ed Sheeran has backed the Music Venue Trust’s (MVT) ‘Own Our Venues’ campaign, which highlights the need for ownership in the UK’s grassroots music venues.The initiative was first announced in May, following the news that legendary venues North London’s Nambucca and Sheffield’s Leadmill were closing their doors or under threat, respectively.The ‘Own Our Venues’ campaign is built on the Community Share model, which has previously formed a successful way of protecting local pubs, post offices and sports grounds.

The MVT has identified nine venues to be involved in a pilot project, with further venue freeholds to be secured as and when they become available.Once venues have been purchased, an immediate rent reduction will be offered, while help will also be given towards building repairs and insurance.

The aim is currently to complete the purchase of the nine initial music venues by the end of 2022.Now, Ed Sheeran has pledged his support to the initiative, saying: “’Own Our Venues’ is an initiative I’m really passionate about getting behind.

Small, independent venues are so, so important to the music community, and I’ve played some of my favourite gigs of my career in these rooms.