Support grassroots music venues with a levy on stadium tickets

• Grassroots Music Venues (GMVs) play an indispensable role in producing new talent and growing the UK music scene. Analysis by the Music Venue Trust shows 88 out of the 96 artists (92 per cent) in the 2024 Glastonbury line-up started their careers performing at grassroots venues.¹
• According to the Music Venue Trust, 2023 was the worst year for venue closures since the organisation was launched 10 years ago, with 125 venues shutting down in the UK.²
• In 2023, GMVs spent £248 million on presenting live music but only generated £131 million in ticket revenue.³
• On 4th February 2025, the Mayor announced a ‘Nightlife Taskforce’ made up of 11 independent industry professionals to look at the "challenges and opportunities" to the night time economy and find ways to improve it.⁴

The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has today published its report - London’s Night-Time Economy - supporting calls for the live music industry to introduce a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support GMVs in London.

The report follows an in-depth investigation by the Committee, which saw industry experts, professionals and local authorities provide evidence on London’s night-time economy, what work is currently being done, and any barriers preventing further growth in the sector.

Key recommendations in the report include:

• The Mayor should advocate for London’s live music industry to introduce a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support grassroots music venues in London.
• The Mayor should work with London Councils to promote best practice in licensing. This should include adding the Ask for Angela scheme to venues licensing conditions, so that operation of the scheme becomes enforceable as part of routine licensing visits.
• The Mayor should instruct Transport for London to carry out an impact assessment and review existing night tube provision since 2016. This should assess the practicability, benefits or difficulties of expanding the night tube.
• The Mayor should develop a code of practice for organisations in the entertainment sector in London who employ freelancers, to ensure better pay and conditions for these workers, along similar lines to the Good Work Standard.

Marina Ahmad AM, Chair of the Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, said:

“London’s night-time economy plays a pivotal role in the wider economy of the city. One in every four pounds spent in London is spent between 6pm and 6am.

“Through our investigation, we heard directly from industry experts who highlighted a number of barriers which are preventing further growth in the sector.

“A key point raised was that grassroots music venues face incredibly challenging financial situations, due to the slim profit margins and increases in rent and business rates.

“We know that the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee support the introduction a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support GMVs, which is why we are calling on the Mayor to support this call, and help these vital venues continue to thrive in London.

“We are also keen to see the Ask for Angela scheme to form part of venue licensing conditions, to ensure the safety of women and girls in London’s night life.

“Our report highlights a number of key recommendations which we have shared with the Mayor’s Nightlife Taskforce, and we will push for our recommendations to help shape the work of the taskforce to help London reach its goal of being a leading 24 hour city.”

Follow us @LondonAssembly.