Staffordshire and Cheshire's music venues facing 'volatile' future

Entertainment and live music venues across Staffordshire and Cheshire say business is increasingly volatile due to the soaring cost of energy.

Research by Uswitch shows a quarter of music venues (27%) are concerned they may need to close down, as more than a third (35%) of business expenses go towards energy bills.

Mike Sampson is from the Sugarmill in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent. He told Hits Radio Staffordshire & Cheshire News: "We are losing money here, making money there. We made a lot more money before the pandemic, we don't make much now. Pre-pandemic we felt safe, but now it's a thing that anything could change in the next six months. You could be on any footing for any reason now because everything is so volatile.

"We're making an acceptable amount of money, but say everything was to shoot up 5% again, the story's completely different.

Many venues are also running at half capacity (50%), and have resorted to production cost cutting (17%) and raising ticket prices by up to 25%.

Two in five (39%) have also found that customers are purchasing less expensive seats and buying fewer refreshments.

"Pre-pandemic we felt safe"

Three in five (60%) music venues say that energy bills are their top concern for the next year, above inflation rates and staff costs.

Performance venues are widely recognised as energy-intensive spaces, and the new research of UK music venues, concert halls and theatres shows over a quarter (27%) are concerned about potential closure due to rising costs.

Air conditioning, heating, as well as extensive sound and lighting systems required to create immersive experiences for audiences are all adding towards total energy expenditure costs, with venues needing between 6 -1,000 kw to power low level concerts to major artist events.

Mike from The Sugarmill added: "The gas with they fill the kegs with, that's got more expensive. Everything has gone up. Friday night, full lighting rig, full PA, all the bars are lit, there's another bar on the roof that is open and lit that and has a PA. All of them have fridges, ventilation, and then I'm gonna have a band that have a load of amps, a sound desk, and even more lights. It just keeps on going!"

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