Music Venue Trust (MVT) has received a boost to its fundraising campaign from Preston City Council, in a bid to save grassroots music venue The Ferret. The council has provided a £150,000 (€170,000/$180,000) loan to MVT’s ‘Own Our Venues’ campaign, with the fundraiser set to close on March 30. The charity is calling on other …

Ed Sheeran backs ‘Own Our Venues’ initiative
Ed Sheeran has pledged his support for Music Venue Trust’s ‘Own Our Venues’ initiative, which aims to take control of the freeholds of music venue premises. By taking control of music venue freeholds, MVT will be able to give them a protected status under benevolent ownership. The concept is built on the ‘Community Share’ model …