Le Pub in Newport Acquired and Preserved by the National Music Venue Trust and Music Venue Properties

Grassroots Venue Purchased for Community Benefit

Grassroots music venue Le Pub in Newport has been acquired and preserved as part of the Music Venue Trust’s #OwnOurVenues programme.

• READ MORE: 2023 was the ‘worst year ever for venue closures’, although ‘no one in the music industry seems to care’, says MVT

Originally announced by the Music Venue Trust in May 2022, the campaign successfully raised £2.3 million in its first year through various donations and investments.

Often referred to as “the National Trust, but for venues,” the initiative has garnered support from notable figures like Ed Sheeran. This model allows venues to enter a “cultural lease” with Music Venue Properties (MVP), ensuring they can operate as grassroots live music spaces while having secure use of their premises.

Recently, MVP announced that Le Pub in Newport is the latest venue to join its growing portfolio. Established in 1992, this grassroots venue has been a pillar of the city’s music scene, hosting performances from artists such as Skindred and Kids in Glass Houses.

Despite facing challenges over the years, including a relocation in the 2000s, the #OwnOurVenues initiative has allowed the venue to secure its future, minimizing the risk of closure.

“We are thrilled to be part of the Music Venue Properties family of venues. Having a landlord who is as passionate about live music as we are will make a huge difference to us and will ensure the future of the venue in Newport,” said Samantha Dabb, Le Pub manager.

Creating A Sustainable Future for Live Music

Through MVP’s #OwnOurVenues, at-risk public spaces are transitioned into community ownership, ensuring long-term stability to foster local talent and enhance cultural value within the community.

In a statement, Dabb mentioned that since applying for the MVP pilot scheme two years ago, Le Pub has expanded its staff and live performances while developing a training room and studio in the basement. Future endeavors will include renovations of the upper floors.

This evening (January 10), Le Pub will host a special plaque unveiling and an evening of live music to celebrate its partnership with MVP. Homegrown local talents “Murder Club” and “Get Cape” are set to perform, along with a guest appearance by Sam Duckworth from Fly. Learn more here.

“For many years, Le Pub has been at the forefront of the Community Shares movement within the GMV community, so it only seems fitting that their long-term future is now guaranteed by Music Venue Properties, an organization made possible by Community Shares and venues like Le Pub that have paved the way,” stated Matthew Autridge, Chief Operating Officer of Music Venue Properties.

“I’m grateful to be a part of this amazing story and eagerly anticipate working alongside Le Pub and its community of investors to help realize their vision for the remainder of the building.”

Mark David, founder of the Music Venue Trust, added: “Le Pub was among the first venues to join the Music Venue Alliance and has been a vocal advocate for the significance of grassroots music venues in our communities for the last decade.”

“Le Pub is situated at the heart of Newport’s vibrant live music scene and is vital to the future of Welsh music. Securing its ownership and ensuring its future for generations is a significant milestone for live music in Wales and serves as a beacon of what can be accomplished through initiatives like Music Venue Properties.”

Other venues acquired under this initiative include The Snug in Atherton, which was the first to be secured by the programme in October 2023, Preston’s The Ferret acquired in May 2024, and The Bunkhouse in Swansea confirmed in September.

This decisive action by MVP comes as grassroots music venues face increasing threats across the UK. Last year, the Music Venue Trust presented its full report on the state of the industry for 2023, highlighting the “disaster” facing live music, with venues closing at a rate of approximately two each week.

Mark David and his team then presented their findings at Westminster, continuing to advocate for a £1 levy on tickets for concerts in arenas and above, allowing major labels and venues to re-engage with the mainstream stage.

In 2023, following the closure of the iconic Bath music venue Moles, David elaborated on the threats facing the UK live music scene, revealing to NME that the live music industry is primarily focused on profit, neglecting the broader ecosystem.

“Businesses closed, and the industry did nothing at all. They let Moles close. Anyone in this country who cares about live music is flabbergasted that the industry doesn’t see the importance of this,” he stated. “It might not matter to them, but it matters to those who truly love live music. This is vital for artists and everyone who cares. If you’re too focused on profit to realize the problems that need addressing, then good luck to you— but that won’t last long. People are fed up.”

Increasingly, prominent names are stepping up to support public spaces. Last year, Coldplay announced that 10% of proceeds from their upcoming stadium shows in London and Hull would be donated to the Music Venue Trust to aid venues across the country. Fans reacted positively on social media, with one user stating, “This is the start of something big.”

“Coldplay exemplifies a British band that has achieved global success in stadiums,” remarked MVT CEO Mark David. “It’s fantastic to see them commemorating their journey to Wembley, paying tribute to the grassroots venues that supported them, and acknowledging the artists and promoters struggling to build their careers.”

Just two months ago, the Music Venue Trust (MVT) warned of a potential “total collapse of touring” due to the recent Budget announcement of new tax measures totaling £7 million for venues. The MVT indicated this would endanger 350 grassroots music venues, jeopardizing over 12,000 jobs, more than £250 million in economic activity, and the potential loss of over 75,000 live music events.

The UK government has started backing calls for a tax on concert tickets for arenas and above to support grassroots venues. MPs are under pressure to take action as smaller venues face precarious circumstances and artists struggle financially.

The deadline for the music industry to implement concrete measures to protect smaller venues is set for March, after which the government may be compelled to intervene.

One artist advocating for awareness is English Teacher vocalist Lily Fontaine, who previously shared with NME the significance of grassroots music venues and addressed MPs about the ongoing funding crisis faced by artists.