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

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: Arusa Qureshi hosts a panel discussion at EXIT Club in Glasgow, co-produced with Glasgow Life, NTIA Scotland, and the Association for Electronic Music. Together, they explore the heartbeat of Scottish nightlife - its unique culture, challenges, and the collective action needed to ensure a thriving future for live music across Scotland.

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

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 episode: Toni speaks with Chris Sherrington from Music Venue Properties about the Own Our Venues campaign, exploring how community ownership is protecting grassroots venues, the impact so far, and what the future holds for the movement.

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

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 Lloyd and Jay about the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs shaping grassroots venues across England - from rising costs to local government support and policy innovation.

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

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 Sophie unpack the government’s new consultation on licensing reform and what it means for grassroots music venues. They also cover this week’s crisis cases, community wins, and sector updates - from The Boileroom’s nineteenth anniversary to The Ferret’s expansion and the rise of the Grassroots Levy.

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

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: This week on The Last Safe Space, Toni and Mark unpack the latest from Westminster and beyond. The House of Lords debates the Agent of Change amendment, the Government stalls on Business Rates reform, and MVT outlines a bold new investment approach: don’t just fund problems—fix them. Plus, community victories from The Sound Lounge and The George Tavern, new partnerships with Fred Perry and Yamaha, and a hard look at rights management and venue protection. All the frontline news from the UK’s grassroots music venue ecosystem, straight from the source.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 17/09/2025

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 episode: In this special edition of The Last Safe Space, Toni sits down with Music Venue Trust’s Chief Operating Officer, Beverley Whitrick, for an inside look at the work that keeps grassroots music venues alive. From the very first Grassroots Networking Day and partnerships with cultural institutions like the V&A and Southbank Centre, to ten years of Venues Day, Beverley shares how the conversation has shifted from survival to recognition, and why grassroots venues are finally being seen as the cultural powerhouses they’ve always been.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 17/09/2025

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 episode: Toni and Mark tackle government changes, levy deadlines, and real crisis cases, including venues struggling with PRS/PPL invoices. Plus: Sam Fender’s £100k lifeline, Coldplay’s Wembley commitment, and the power of Sonic Boom Festival.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 17/09/2025

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 episode: festivals + venues linking arms, Coldplay’s 10% ticket pledge, a new national networking day, the power of community ownership, the real story behind “Grassroots Music Venue,” and another Agent of Change win. Plus, fundraising hero Andy Hobson.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 13/08/2025

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 episode: Toni Coe and Mark Davyd discuss the Prime Minister’s backing of the £1 Grassroots Levy, the latest adoption numbers, frontline crisis cases, and how community power is saving venues across the UK.

Disclaimer: All data is correct on the date of filming 13/08/2025

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

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

Support the show