New ticket levy could help save city's music scene

Bristol's grassroots venues have been praised for nurturing music talent and bringing communities together

A new one per cent levy could be applied to gig tickets to help a city's grassroots music scene survive.

The levy would mean every gig ticket purchased in Bristol could have an extra percentage cost, like a booking fee, paid by the customer, that goes to a specific fund or purpose.

Bristol City Council will decide if a 1% levy will be added in the city, which would be collected into a central pot, generating an estimated £400,000 to £1m every year.

Carly Heath, the council's night-time economy adviser, said: "There is chronic underinvestment in the music sector, particularly at that grassroots level, not just in Bristol but nationally."

She added: "Grassroots venues nurture music talent, they bring communities together and they provide the gathering spaces where people can come and celebrate and bathe in joy."

Councillors on the economy and skills policy committee gave the go-ahead for preparations on Monday. This will see a new Community Benefit Society set up, which will manage the Bristol Music Fund.

The funding could pay for various costs, like venues improving soundproofing or accessibility, events during the week and performers better rates.

In Bristol, 78% of events happen in venues that are under 1,000 capacity.

According to Ms Heath, the majority of the city's venue estate is technically "grassroots", but she added that these generate only 32% of the annual ticketing revenue that the city receives.

"It's easy to see where the disparity is on who's doing the lion's share of the work in creating an incredible music scene and underpinning Bristol's reputation, but receiving a really small proportion of the revenue that the city generates," she said.

The UK Beatbox championship took place in Bristol on Saturday and Sunday

Last year, 16% of grassroots venues across the country closed, due to a mix of rising costs and limited access to public funds.

The Bristol Music Fund could also support artists to create and develop music.

Money would go towards skills and training and ensuring there are "meaningful career pathways" for staff working in the industry.

A recent survey of 500 gig-goers found that most would support paying an extra 1% on their concert tickets.

Green Councillor Cam Hayward said: "I think it's a brilliant proposal. It's not just about supporting venues but artists as well."

Venues can volunteer to charge the levy, providing the opportunity to opt out, but customers would have to pay the extra 1% if the venue charged it.

The Community Benefit Society would be owned and governed by representatives of different parts of the music industry.