York council set to invest £100K in city’s live music venues

The beat will go on – with the help of a big injection of cash from the council.

Hit hard by the pandemic, York’s live music venues have struggled to survive. Months of no gigs and restricted audiences have cut deep.

The city wouldn’t be the same without its gigs – and recognising this, City of York Council is set to invest £100K in the live music scene.

Under a proposal set to be approved at the executive meeting on 26 August,  £100,000 of York’s final £1.4m instalment of the additional restrictions grant (ARG) from the government, would be used to support live music venues in the city.

Although live music venues have received grant funds through the Arts Council, support is now diminishing.

Venues face a very challenging financial period, as they are still only able to open with limited audience numbers and are reliant on the live music industry returning to previous touring patterns and levels over the coming year.

Continuing challenges

If plans are agreed, the £100k would help venues to meet ongoing costs while there is a shortfall in income, and help them reopen and reengage with audiences.

Cllr Darryl Smalley, Lib Dem and executive member for culture, leisure and communities, said: “York’s live music scene is a crucial and vibrant part of the city’s cultural offer. We recognise the ongoing challenges venues are facing as we ease out of the national restrictions and people get used to a new ‘normal’. We are committed to working with the sector to provide support.”

Cllr. Jonny Crawshaw, Labour, Micklegate Ward said:

“Having been closely involved in the York Music Venues Network from the outset, it’s great to see the importance of live music being recognised by the Council and Labour welcomes the financial assistance being offered.

“Our 2019 Motion, passed unanimously by Council, called for a range of support for York’s Music Venues, establishing a principle that they are just as important a part of York Cultural landscape as our museums, theatres or cinemas.

“Over the past two years Cllr Kilbane and I have been in regular contact with developers over the future of several of York’s highest-profile Music Venues and were pleased to have helped protect the long-term future of The Crescent from inappropriate development next-door.

“More recently, it was fantastic to see local developers North Star giving public assurances over the future of Fibbers following months of behind-the-scenes discussions.”

Chris Sherrington, who runs the Fulford Arms and is a leading figure in the York Music Venue Network, said: “York Music Venue Network is thankful to City of York Council for their ongoing and exemplary commitment to the sector.

“This proposal recognises the importance and continuing challenges these venues face as the sector reopens. This support will impact along the local ecosystem, benefitting artists, crew, promoters, staff and audiences across the region.

“It will allow venues to safely deliver events to help revive live music in the city bringing amazing talent and programming to these stages for all to enjoy.

“Hopefully other authorities will follow the example set by the council and engage with grassroots music venues and music venue trust to help secure a future for these cultural incubators.”

In December 2019 the council unanimously passed a motion in support of “Protecting Live Music Space”, recognising that “a thriving, vibrant, diverse and responsibly managed night-time offer” is a crucial part of the city’s economy.

At its March 2020 meeting, executive agreed to a range of measures including a commitment to work closely with the York Music Venues Network to assist in supporting and developing this crucial part of the city’s night-time economy.