'Their legacy will be felt for generations': Moles nightclub owners commended after closure
They cited the cost of living crisis and a changing music scene for their sudden closure earlier this week
Last updated 21st Jul 2024
The Arts Council have commended the owners of the iconic Moles music venue in Bath - after their sudden closure earlier this week.
They tell us more than half a million pounds of public funding's been awarded since 2019, and remain committed to supporting the grassroots music sector.
Yesterday, Bath MP Wera Hobhouse called it a 'great shame' more help isn't available for local venues, after Moles had to shut their doors after entertaining crowds for the last 45 years.
Countless festival and stadium headliners including Ed Sheeran, The Killers, Fat Boy Slim, Oasis, Blur, Radiohead, The Smiths and Idles have played at the 220-capacity venue during the early stages of their careers.
There are growing calls for the Government to step in to prevent more grassroots venues like Moles, from going under.
The owners of Moles this week filed for insolvency, and in a statement say the decision to close was horrendous but the cost-of-living crisis has "crippled us".
In a statement, a spokesperson from Arts Council England said: “We are aware that Moles has decided to close after 45 years of platforming homegrown talent and international acts. We commend co-owners Tom and Phil for their dedication to grassroots live music. We know this must have been a difficult decision to make - their legacy will be felt for generations in Bath and further afield.
"Since 2019, Arts Council has awarded more than £518,000 in public funding to Moles. Including support during the pandemic to help sustain the venue and more recently to help purchase equipment.
"Artists and gig-goers rely on spaces like Moles to showcase extraordinary talent and provide the high-quality music experiences England is best known for. We remain committed to supporting the grassroots of the music sector, and are working with venues, festivals, rehearsal and recording studios and promoters across the country to help secure their future.”
According to the Music Venue Trust, venues like Moles have done "everything they can to keep afloat".
The MVT say about 120 of the UK's small music venues, around 15% of the total, have closed or stopped putting on gigs this year.
It works out at around 4,000 jobs lost around the country, and around £9 million of income lost for musicians.
A DCMS spokesperson said: "We stand firmly behind grassroot music venues, which is why we prevented more than 130 from closing at the start of the pandemic and went on to provide nearly £250 million to music organisations through the Culture Recovery Fund. We've continued to support small businesses, including venues, through recent challenges with the £18 billion Energy Bill Relief Scheme and business rates relief.
"We know it remains a difficult time for grassroots music, which is why we have increased the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund by an additional £5 million to support the sector over the next two years, with grants of up to £40,000 currently available for venues to apply for."