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Tunbridge Wells Forum has implemented a grassroots ticket levy throughout this month, with £1 (€1.16/$1.25) from every ticket sold donated to the Music Venue Trust’s Pipeline Fund.
The 250-capacity grassroots music venue is owned by Music Venue Trust founder and chief executive, Mark Davyd, and the money raised will go towards supporting other grassroots venues in the UK. The charity has been calling for the implementation of a levy for some time, asking for larger arenas and venues to support smaller, independent outlets.
In a post on Instagram, the venue said: “Throughout May 2024 and at no extra cost to the customer, we will be including a £1 levy on all tickets sold in that month for shows at our venue and the total will be given to the Music Venue Trust Pipeline Fund. The customer will not and should not have to pay for this. This can be managed within the price of the ticket.
“This levy is something we should not have to do but if a grassroots venue has the ability to make this work and give back to other venues in the UK, then the larger venues, arenas, stadiums and festivals can also do their bit for the cause.”
Alien Ant Farm’s joint headline tour with CKY announced last month that it would be including a £1 ticket levy to help support grassroots venues.
Enter Shikari announced a similar initiative last year, where its 2024 run of UK tour dates would see £1 donated to the Music Venue Trust. Venue operator ASM Global then offered to match the donations for Enter Shikari’s OVO Wembley show.
Also in 2023, independent ticketing company Skiddle introduced a 50p ticket levy, with the proceeds donated to the Pipeline Fund. Elsewhere, Swansea Arena – a new venue that opened in 2022 – pledged its support for the Music Venue Trust, hosting an event to raise money for the charity.
In the same month, Ticketmaster introduced a Music Venue Trust upsell option, while Halifax venue Piece Hall implemented a similar scheme.
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