By Sarah Moore
Posted on Monday 16th September 2024 at 09:00
Here at Gigantic Tickets, we're thrilled to be supporting the Music Venue Trust (MVT) during the month of September, by providing donation options on all transactions on our website, as well as donating a sum of money to the MVT at the end of the donation period.
By adding this optional donation at checkout for all events on gigantic.com, we aim to raise funds for the registered charity at a time when UK grassroots venues are struggling more than ever.
Read on to find out more about this initiative and how you can join us in doing your part to help save our vital grassroots music venues!
By making donating as simple and easy as possible while you are actively purchasing tickets for live shows, we hope to encourage our wonderful customers to show their support for UK music venues through their welcomed donations.
Simply purchase tickets as normal on gigantic.com, and at checkout you can opt to include a donation amount which goes directly to the MVT. It's as simple as that!
Music Venue Trust is a UK registered charity which acts to protect, secure and improve Grassroots Music Venues.
Since 2015 the charity has prevented hundreds of closures across the UK, and the charity exists with the aim to secure the long-term future of iconic Grassroots Music Venues such as Hull Adelphi, Southampton Joiners, The 100 Club, Band on the Wall, and many more.
MVT work to gain recognition of the essential role these venues fulfil, not only for artist development but also for the cultural and music industries, the economy and local communities. They aim to preserve and improve venues, making them more efficient and improving the experience for performers and audiences. Long-term, MVT plans to acquire the freeholds of as many of these vital venues as possible.
Despite its incredible work, however, 125 venues closed their doors for the last time in 2023, proving the work of the MVT is more crucial than ever before.
Gigantic and MVT’s partnership comes from a likeminded belief that great music doesn’t start in stadiums and arenas; grassroots venues are critical to the development of British music, local talent, and their communities.
Earlier this year, we were the ticketing partner and sponsor of the annual Independent Venue Week; this support of the MVT is the latest in our efforts to uplift local, grassroots and independent venues, and shed light on the difficulties they continue to face in 2024.
Kimberley Goddard, Head of Philanthropy and Donor Relations at MVT, said: "Our partnership with Gigantic Tickets is a vital lifeline for grassroots music venues across the UK. Their commitment to supporting Music Venue Trust through customer donations and direct contributions underscores the importance of preserving these essential cultural spaces.
"As our venues continue to face significant challenges, the funds raised through this initiative will play a crucial role in securing the future of live music in local communities. We are deeply grateful for Gigantic's continued support, which highlights the critical role ticketing operators play in sustaining the ecosystem of grassroots venues and the vibrant culture they nurture."
Head of Marketing at Gigantic Tickets, Sarah Moore, said: "We’ve been supporters of the MVT for many years, and commend all the hard work they do in securing the future of the UK’s essential grassroots venues.
“As ticketing partner to many incredible independent and grassroots venues such as Lincoln’s The Drill and Wolverhampton’s The Robin, we see first-hand the invaluable contribution these spaces bring to local communities and the artists who use them. We’re thrilled to be raising funds alongside our customers for this incredible and essential cause".
© 2024 Gigantic Tickets Limited. All rights reserved.