Bristol lays out ticket levy plans to help “transform” local music scene
Night Time Economy Advisor Carly Heath said plans would help alleviate venues, musicians, and events of financial stress
Bristol’s Night Time Economy Advisor Carly Heath has laid out plans to implement a £1 ticket levy across the city, the BBC reports.
The proposed plans could help to alleviate venues, musicians, and events of financial stress amidst a particularly turbulent year for independent music across the UK.
In October, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) issued a warning that, with high venue closure rates across the country, all major UK nightclubs could be “extinct” by December 31, 2029.
If put in place, it would mark the first city in the UK to implement a city-wide ticket levy plan. Heath has proposed that a 1% fee be added to tickets at participating venues and large scale events, which could create up to £1 million per year.
Read this next: Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham backs calls for £1 ticket levy on large-scale music events
The plan was put in front of local and national music industry leaders on Wednesday, November 6, which was met with a positive response.
Speaking on the plan to the BBC, Heath said that it could “transform the music industry in the city”, with money funnelling back into “music venues, events, and music making”. She also explained that a 35% drop in rates relief for venues could add to the budget for venues going forward.
She noted that, following a survey conducted by music project Bristol Nights, fans are “happy” to support the local music scene with 93% in favour of backing the scheme.
In March, a panel of representatives from Live Music Exchange (LIVE), Music Venue Trust and National Arenas Association gathered in front of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee to discuss a similar £1 ticket levy for music events at arenas and stadiums.
Read this next: NTIA warns December 31, 2029, could be the UK's "last night out"
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham backed calls for the ticket levy in June, asking arenas and large-scale music events to support grassroots music venues in Manchester.
"The Culture Secretary has committed to work closely with stakeholders and across government to support an economically sustainable grassroots music sector,” said a spokesperson for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (via BBC).
"We want a live music sector that nurtures the next generation of British talent and we are extending Arts Council England's Supporting Grassroots Music Fund."
[Via BBC]
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter