The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music. In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, to break down the latest on Business Rates for grassroots music venues - and how the music industry came together to challenge recent increases. They also cover the progress of key campaigns, such as the grassroots levy, Agent of Change, licensing, and more. Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 04/01/2026 Join the Supporters Circle: https://save-our-venues.backstreetmer... Learn more about our work: https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

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*CORRECTION: Blane McNab, Bar and Operations Manager, at The Court House Bangor wrote the report mentioned in this episode on reusable plastic cups*

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni is joined by Charlie and Lala to explore the values that sit at the heart of grassroots music venues. Moving beyond funding and survival, the conversation looks at ethics, care, and culture, from sustainability and access to diversity, transparency, and community impact.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmer...

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this special episode, Toni and Mark unpack the findings of MVT’s brand Annual Report for 2025. They dig into what the data really shows about the state of grassroots music venues across the UK.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode, Toni Coe sits down with Mark Davyd, CEO of Music Venue Trust, for a reflective conversation about the state of the grassroots music sector at the start of a new year. Looking back to January 2020 and the long period of survival that followed, they explore why 2025 was not the year the sector turned the corner, but why the foundations now feel stronger than they have in years.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 08/01/2026

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode: Toni and Mark Davyd look back on a defining year for the grassroots music ecosystem. From policy battles and frontline crisis support to the rise of community ownership and moments of collective action, they reflect on the pressures, progress, and hard-won victories of the past twelve months. A clear-eyed end of year round-up from Music Venue Trust, closing with thanks to the venues, workers, artists, and audiences who continue to keep the last safe space alive.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 11/12/2025

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode: Toni and Mark Davyd break down a week of political pressure, frontline crises, and hard won momentum across the grassroots music venue sector. From the fallout of rising business rates and parliamentary scrutiny, to real time crisis support, rights management escalations, and the power of partnerships and community ownership, this Big Friday Round Up takes stock of a sector holding the line. A clear, data led snapshot of where things stand, why it matters, and how listeners can help keep grassroots venues alive.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 11/12/2025

Join the Supporters Circle:

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode: Toni speaks with Lala, MVT’s Membership Coordinator, to uncover how the charity understands and supports grassroots venues across the UK. They discuss who makes up the network, the pressures venues are facing, and why MVT has broadened its definition of a grassroots space. A concise look at the data, challenges, and human connections that shape the membership at the heart of Music Venue Trust.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 20/11/2025

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode: Toni sits down with Matt and Chris from Music Venue Properties to break down the extraordinary success of Own Our Venues Round Two. Together they explore how the campaign soared from a £1 million goal to £1.5 million in community investment, why 1,349 people chose to become shareholders in the future of grassroots venues, the pivotal moments that shaped the campaign, and what this landmark funding means for the next phase of securing buildings for the UK’s music ecosystem.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 20/11/2025

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode: Toni and Mark dive into a fast-moving fortnight for grassroots music, covering surging political pressure on Business Rates, big wins in planning, major new partnerships, real-world crisis cases, and the rising wave of community ownership and workforce recognition driving the sector forward.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 16/10/2025

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/collections/membership

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show

The Last Safe Space a straight-talking, data-driven podcast from Music Venue Trust. Each episode breaks down the biggest news affecting the UK’s grassroots music venues - from government policy to local wins, campaigns, crisis cases, and how you can take action to support live music.

In this episode: Toni speaks with Stina and Aled about the current pressures, regional strengths, and emerging opportunities shaping grassroots venues across Scotland and Wales, from licensing and planning issues to ethics, accessibility, and community-led support.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 16/10/2025

Join the Supporters Circle:
https://save-our-venues.backstreetmerch.com/

Learn more about our work:
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com

Support the show