'Tough six months' says owner of small, independent music venue in Stockton
New research's revealed many across the UK are shutting for good
The owners of a small, independent music venue in Teesside say they are having to make changes to stay open.
New research has revealed a decline of around 16 percent last year across the UK with many shutting their doors for good.
It is due to the impacts from Covid, a rise in bills or rent, reduced footfall and increased operational costs.
It is hoped that Independent Venue Week, the UK's annual 7-day celebration of independent music and arts venues and all the staff there, will highlight grassroot and small businesses that are there in communities. It takes place from the 29th January to 4th February.
Lee Allcock owns NE Volume Music Bar in Stockton and he said: "It's been a bit of a struggle at times especially over the last six months, which is why events like Independent Venue Week are so vitally important. Not only do we get to showcase these brilliant bands to local audiences who join us regularly, but we find that new people who may have never, ever set foot through our doors, they'll turn up for special events.
"I think variety is the key really. We've hosted I'd say every single genre you can think of possible over the last three and a half years, because we'd like to give everybody a chance; so from more established bands to literally giving bands their first ever gig, that's our aim really.
"To be honest, I think every single independent venue owner will have at some point worried about not being able to keep their doors open. We'll have to make a few changes this year as the last six months especially has been pretty tough, so we're going to be introducing new club nights once a month aimed at the metal crowd which will take place after a metal gig night.
"We'll also be introducing new drinks offers each week between 6pm and 7pm to try and entice people to come down early to catch the supports, as quite often you'll find that people just turn up for the headline act, so we want people to come a bit earlier to catch the support acts if possible.
"We're also going to be starting a new event called the Wednesday Social, where people can meet up with their friends, have a drink, a laugh and chat without any bands playing, because we find that a lot of people come to gigs and like to have a bit of a chat but obviously the band's a bit loud and can sort of overpower the people talking, but we want to give people the chance to come down and chat with their mates."