Support for Retro Bar
Frank Turner, along with the musical venue (MVT), is advocating for the preservation of Retro Bar in Manchester, which is threatened with closure due to redevelopment plans.
- Read more: Great Britain loses a major musical venue every two weeks; the industry demands “actions, not words.”
Threatened Development
The 35-year-old venue, located in the heart of Manchester, faces substantial threats from a nursing-related redevelopment project valued at £1.7 billion, a collaboration between Bruntwood SciTech and the University of Manchester.
This development will result in the demolition of Retro Bar in August, prohibiting them from operating as of July 2025. Although they received offers for two alternative locations, representatives claim these were “completely unsuitable” and provided only a limited financial contribution to cover the relocation costs.
Retro Bar, known for hosting early concerts by Turner and The xx, is recognized as the official birthplace of The Chemical Brothers and served as a platform for their early DJ performances in the 90s.
Call to Action
The music community is urging for the venue’s preservation. “The redevelopment of Greater Manchester, like that of other cities, must acknowledge and substantially support existing cultural institutions. It is unacceptable to disregard the immense value these entities contribute to their communities, the cultural ecosystem, and the nighttime economy,” stated the charity.
“Music Venue Trust is engaged in ongoing discussions with the Manchester City Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and Bruntwood SciTech, urging all parties to collaborate on solutions that ensure the future of Retro at a suitable new location, therefore preventing the loss of this cherished venue.”
They also launched a crowdfunding initiative aiming to raise £50,000 to assist in developing a future plan that secures the venue’s legacy.
In the context of the crowdfunding effort, Turner expressed the venue’s significance to his career: “Retro is where I had my first solo show in Manchester. Without such venues, I wouldn’t have been able to build my career to the level where I performed as a headliner at the Academy earlier this month.”
“People involved with organizations like Retro dedicate their lives to honing their craft, paving the way for the next generation of musical talent. These crucial spaces not only provide stages for musicians to develop their skills but also serve as the foundation for their future success. Their existence stems from pure passion.”
“The cultural value of this venue cannot be overstated,” he further stated. “This becomes a common theme as we observe the core of the city being threatened by redevelopment plans. If we don’t raise our concerns now, it won’t be long before musicians find themselves without places to perform their first shows. They cannot grow without these venues.”
Moreover, everything is linked: “We played our earliest concerts at Retro Bar, and prior to that, we had essential training grounds in embryonic groups.”
These developments come amid reports indicating that the UK has lost significant live music venues in recent years. For example, in January, statistics revealed that the UK was losing one major music venue every two weeks in 2024, contributing to a nearly 50% decline, leaving around 200 in precarious situations.
In November, it was also reported that the country’s live music scene is facing a “complete collapse” without urgent assistance and government intervention.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/frank-turner-and-music-venue-trust-lend-support-as-manchesters-retro-bar-faces-closure-due-to-redevelopment-3860414?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=frank-turner-and-music-venue-trust-lend-support-as-manchesters-retro-bar-faces-closure-due-to-redevelopment
