Joe GallopIndependent ticketing company Skiddle has partnered with Music Venue Trust (MVT) to introduce a 50p ticket levy, with 100% of the proceeds channelled to the MVT Pipeline Investment Fund.
Skiddle has pledged to match all funds raised through the ticket levy. It has also set out plans to offer financial and support packages to UK grassroots venues, including a share of booking fees and free localised marketing.
MVT said more than a hundred grassroots music venues have been forced to close in the past year, with operators of surviving venues left facing mounting financial costs.
Skiddle’s partnership with MVT follows one with Live Nation-owned Ticketmaster, which will see the ticketing operator introduce a charity upsell option.
Skiddle head of new business Duncan King said, “The situation for GMVs is critical. As an independent business within the music industry, we understand the pressures that our grassroots venues are under better than most. The MVT’s pipeline investment fund provides a much-needed lifeline to venues across the country, without which they would be unable to continue operations.”
MVT CEO Mark Davyd said, “This is an incredibly important step from Skiddle which will be warmly welcomed by the whole grassroots music sector. It demonstrates that positive change is possible. As an industry, we can work together to ensure that success for any individual artist or single event can support everyone in the whole community. We hope many other companies will be inspired to follow this groundbreaking initiative.”