At Least 30% Of UK Music Venues At Risk Of Permanent Closure If Energy Crisis Worsens

At Least 30% Of UK Music Venues At Risk Of Permanent Closure If Energy Crisis Worsens


August 30, 2022

Music venues have survived a number of blows over the past year due to lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions but the industry is once again at risk as energy bills continue to soar.

Some venues are seeing rapid increases in their energy bills reaching an average of 300%, some even touching 740% increase. In hopes to save our music venues, Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, chief executive of UK Music, has called on the government to take serious action and decrease VAT and extend "business rate support" meaning local councils will reduce venue bills.

Music Venue Trust has also wanted that at least 30% of UK music venues are at risk of permanently closing if energy costs continue to rise.

A representative for a London recording studio said, "For our recording studio, energy costs are due to more than double in October," says a representative for a London recording studio. "Gas is likely to go up 600% and electricity perhaps 80%. The result is going from £132,000 to £288,000—a shocking £156,000 increase. There is no way they can significantly economise on usage or pass this increase on to their clients. It is a big hit in profitability at a point when there are cost pressures in nearly all other areas. As the price increase is unknown, it could get even worse between now and the renewal."

Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd also comments on the matter saying: "Alongside the simply unaffordable increases to costs, the government must urgently address the fact that the market for energy supply has collapsed.

"We have multiple examples where venues do not have any option other than to accept whatever price increases and tariffs are proposed by the sole supplier prepared to offer them power at all. The situation has rapidly deteriorated into a monopoly."



Words: Blessing Borode
Photography: Jake Davis


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