Profit eludes Britain's grassroots music venues as closures rise

More than half of UK grassroots music venues did not make a profit in 2025, with 30 venues closing and about 6,000 jobs lost, even as attendance rose 13% to 21 million. The average profit margin is only 2.5%, and rising costs, including NI and the cost of living, are pressuring venues; a proposed £1 levy on arena/stadium shows could funnel funds to the sector, though much of the money remains undistributed.