The Music Venue Trust’s Annual Trust 2025 has just been released. Here are the key numbers, and how they compare with previous years

		2025		2024		2023
1. Emergency Responses		205		200		164
2. Grassroots Music Venues		801		810		835
3. Total Audience Visits		21,683,552		19,410,630		23,657,220
4. Events		174,552		162,092		187,040
5. Individual Artist Performances		1,058,462		1,485,360		1,683,360
6. People Employed		24,742		30,865		28,223
7. Total Value of Sector		558,525,252		£525,570,745		£501,101,118
8. Profit Margin		2.5%		0.48%		0.50%
9. Total Subsidy on Live Music		76,643,679		£162,067,095		£114,814,162

You can read the MVT 2025 Report yourself HERE.

Notes

1. The MVT is still extremely busy helping venues needing emergency responses. The number of responses has not gone up by a huge amount, but it’s still a high level.
2. We had a net loss of 9 venues this year. This is the lowest rate of annual decline since 2018. 30 venues permanently closed and 48 stopped operating as grassroots music venues but 69 new or revived spaces joined the network.
3. Audience visits went up an average of 13%. It’s still not the 2023 level, but it’s a welcome improvement.
4. There were 7.7% more events than in 2024. Again, it’s still not the 2023 level, but it’s a welcome improvement.
5. Individual artist performance numbers dropped by 28.7%. This is a massive change after the 11.7% drop in 2024.  The same headline acts are playing more shows.
6. There was a 20% reduction in workforce. The most substantial fall since annual data collection began. The increase in employer NI is cited as the biggest issue. The number of paid contractors dropped from an average of 20.7 to 7.6 per venue. Volunteer levels dropped from an average of 7.0 to 4.2 per venue. The remaining paid staff are having to work longer and harder.
7. The total value of the sector rose by 6.3%. Hardly surprising, considering the rising costs for everyone in 2025.
8. The profit margin rose to 2.5% but 53.8% of venues reported no profit in 2025. This is still very low. 38.1% of venues now operate as not-for-profit entities.
9. The amount of money MVTs lost on Live Music (Income minus Expenditure) reduced by 52.7% due to a greater proportion of paid, not free, shows. It’s still a big loss, but it’s a welcome improvement from last year’s level.

The report highlights 4 major areas that shaped 2025:

1. Employment. The increase in employer NI contributions being the most significant factor.
2. Touring. 59.3% (475) venues were excluded from significant tour routings, as tours got smaller. Hopefully once the Grassroots Levy funds are distributed in 2026 this can be addressed. Bilk’s October 2025 tour, supported by the MVT, saw them target many venues that they would otherwise not be able to afford to play at.
3. Taxation. The reduction of business rates relief in England from 75% to 40% is a big issue. 20% VAT on tickets is another. The MVT is still hoping to change the governments mind on these issues. 
4. Ownership. 38.1% of venues are now operating as not-for-profit. Music Venue Properties continues to buy more venues in it’s plan to be the “National Trust” for music venues.

My Conclusions

1. 2025 was a tough year, but the venues did their damnedest to keep the sector going.
2. If the government does not do a U-Turn on its reduction on business rate relief or continues to enforce 20% on tickets (AND the Grassroots Music Levy) then 2026 could be a terrible year.
3. But the folks at the MVT know what they are doing and they have the right contacts with the right people. If anyone can affect change, it’s them.
4. I will still be able to enjoy gigs at grassroots venues this year. That’s the best news of all.

Update

MVT have since posted the following on socials:

• We announced the beginnings of so many exciting projects last night at the V&A. Imagine if music venues could have an “MOT” to permanently cut running costs – or even go off the energy grid entirely, keeping more money in their own pockets instead of paying energy companies.
• We’re working on an initiative to accommodate artists when on tour, so that hotel chains aren’t getting rich off grassroots gigs, while also improving the touring lives and conditions of those artists. We’re investing in upgrading equipment – from PA systems, desks, and amps to mic stands – and making sure everything is regularly maintained.
• We’re helping reduce promoter risk. We’re reconnecting towns and cities who have fallen off the touring map with national shows again – putting thousands of performances into hundreds of towns.
• We’re doing all of this with your help, and our partners and donors, as well as the support of those arena and stadium artists and promoters already voluntarily donating a grassroots levy on tickets. Stay tuned in 2026. And download our full report at MusicVenueTrust.com to see what’s happening and how you can join us.