Two music venues in Manchester have been saved from permanent closure - here's how you can help others across the UK

Tom Walker performs at the Deaf Institute in Manchester in 2019 (Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)Tom Walker performs at the Deaf Institute in Manchester in 2019 (Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)
Tom Walker performs at the Deaf Institute in Manchester in 2019 (Photo: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images)

Two of the country's most iconic live music venues that were set to close permanently have been saved.

Both The Deaf Institute and Gorilla in Manchester announced their doors would remain closed for good earlier this week, as four months of coronavirus enforced closure bit.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But now, both venues could open againafter Tokyo Industries (TI) acquired the venues from the previous operator.

In the past, bands and acts like Florence & the Machine, Haim, Tame Impala, Blossoms, and Foals have graced the stages at both Gorilla and the Deaf Institute.

TI founder Aaron Mellor credited Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess with coming up with ideas to help the rescue plan.

Burgess commented on the development on Twitter, saying: "I've been talking with the new owners over the weekend and we'll be doing all we can to help with the next chapter".

What can I do to save my local music venues?

Despite the good news in Manchester, 100s of venues remain under threat of permanent closure, and the live entertainment sector has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus crisis.

Some have taken to alternative forms of income during the coronavirus crisis, with one of the most popular being crowdfunding. In June, analysis showed over 160 venues had launched appeals.

Crowdfunding website Crowfunder and the Music Venue Trust recently teamed up to launch #saveourvenues, a national campaign to save grassroots music venues at imminent risk of being closed down permanently.

The website showcases individual fundraisers for venues in need from around the country, such as Birmingham's Night Owl or The Portland Arms in Cambridge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alternatively, you can choose to donate to the campaign's national fund, with Crowdfunder distributing the money raised to the venues that need it most. So far, the venture has raised nearly £2.5 million across 220 individual projects.

The best way to find out how to help your local venue more directly is to check their social media feeds. That's where details of fundraisers, special virtual events and other money generating projects can be found.

Some popular venues in need of help include The Leadmill in Sheffield, Glasgow's Audio venue, Louisiana in Bristol, as well as The Moth Club, Peckham Audio and The Shacklewell Arms, which are all in London.

Related topics: