Known as “The National Trust for Music Venues,” MVP purchases the freeholds of cultural spaces to offer operators long-term stability and fair leases. Venue operator Thomas Evrenos celebrated the milestone, noting that community ownership gives the venue a secure future. He stated that the team can now focus entirely on supporting grassroots talent and serving the local alternative community without the constant threat of commercial redevelopment.
Brighton resident and iconic DJ Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim, has backed the project as a major investor and is urging fellow musicians, fans, and industry figures to support the scheme. Cook emphasized that the music industry relies on grassroots spaces for emerging acts to hone their craft. Calling MVP a sound business model and an ethical investment, he highlighted how community ownership ensures venues remain focused on nurturing future talent rather than risking conversion into residential flats.
The Pipeline joins a growing portfolio of permanently protected spaces across the country, alongside venues such as The Croft in Bristol, The Joiners in Southampton, The Ferret in Preston, and Le Pub in Newport. Since launching in 2022, MVP has raised around £7 million through community share offers and funding partnerships with Arts Council England, the UK Government, and Figurative.
More than 2,500 supporters have invested in the society, including high-profile music figures such as Glenn Tilbrook, Katie Melua, and Terry and Lesley Marshall. Additionally, MVP secured £1 million from the UK Government’s Creative Foundations Fund to support venue renovations. With further acquisitions already targeted, MVP continues to invite music fans, artists, and investors to help safeguard the UK’s vital grassroots venue network.
Photo credit: Lee London for MVT
