Copyright bbc
A fund to help the struggling grassroots music venues in Manchester "where talent is nurtured and the city's music begins" has been established. The £245,000 fund created by Manchester City Council in partnership with the Music Venue Trust has been set up to meet the cost of increasing business rates. Small venues are feeling "financial strain" following a cut in discounts given by the government's business rates scheme from 75% in 2024/25 down to 40% in 2025/26, the trust said. Kate Lowes, from the Manchester Music City network, welcomed the creation of the fund and said: "business rates relief is one of the sector's most pressing concerns".
