A third of UK music venues are at risk of closing due to crippling energy bill increases

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Venues are seeing their energy bills increase by an average of 300% and in some cases 740%, meaning tens of thousands of pounds in costs additional

Concert halls at risk of closing due to soaring energy bills

A third of UK music venues could be forced to close due to crippling energy bills, ministers have warned.

The energy price cap does not apply to businesses. Sites are therefore seeing their energy bills increase by an average of 300% and in some cases by 740%, which means tens of thousands of pounds of additional costs.

A site was charged a new charge of £42,000 per year, more than triple its previous bill of £13,200. The supplier said they would only accept full payment in advance.

Other sites struggle to find a provider after their existing provider collapses.

Based on a survey of its 941 member venues, The Music Venue Trust revealed that venues are facing an average increase of 316% in their fuel bills, bringing the average bill cost fuel at £5,179 per month per room, up from the current average. from £1,245.

Energy costs are skyrocketing for households and businesses (

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Iconic places under threat include Bedford's Esquire's, Swindon's Level 3, Alexander's Live in Chester and The Brunswick in Hove.

The Coventry Empire and Dover's Booking Hall were also among those struggling to cope with skyrocketing bills, the Trust said.

The body has warned that rising energy costs have created a significant risk of permanent closure on approximately 30% of the entire network.

UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said: "Soaring energy costs have created an existential threat to venues and music studios, and there is an urgent need for the Government to take action to help businesses meet the costs they face.

"We've all seen how miserable life was without live music during the pandemic when venues were closed for months - the high cost of energy bills could shut them down forever."

Mark Davyd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust, added: "Alongside the simply unaffordable increases in costs, the government must urgently address the fact that the energy supply market has collapsed.< /p>

“We have several examples where sites have no choice but to accept price increases and rates offered by the sole s...