The number of small venues shrank by just nine in 2025, but more than half of them reported making no profit, while employment in the sector dropped almost 22%
The number of grassroots music venues (GMV) in the UK shrank in effect by just nine in 2025, the lowest rate of annual decline since 2018.
Thirty venues closed permanently between July 2024 and 2025 and 48 ceased functioning as GMVs, citing financial viability, change in ownership and eviction or redevelopment. However, 69 spaces that had previously ceased operating as GMVs returned to the sector.
The figures suggest the stabilisation of the sector five years on from the pandemic, according to the Music Venue Trust’s (MVT) annual report. It generated £76.6m of revenue in 2025 – although more than half of GMVs (53.8%) reported making no profit in the period, with the average profit margin being just 2.5%. A total of 38% of GMVs are now not-for-profit.
Employment in the sector is also down by almost 22%, a significant drop from 30,885 to 24,242 people, with venues citing national insurance increases for employers as the principal cause of job losses.
