Campaign to save music venues including Sneaky Pete's and Leith Depot raises over £1 million

A campaign set up to save independent music venues such as Sneaky Pete's and Leith Depot from extinction has raised over £1 million.

Last month, the Music Venue Trust (MVT) launched the #SaveOurVenues Fund in a bid to protect hundreds of grassroots venues throughout the UK from closure during the coronavirus lockdown.

To date, the campaign has raised £1,044,718, with an overall target of reaching £1,500,000.

According to the Music Venue Trust, 556 Grassroots Music Venues in the UK are at imminent risk of being closed permanently.

Cowgate venue Sneaky Pete's one of those under threat due to lockdown.

Among them are the Capital's Sneaky Pete’s, Leith Depot, Bannerman's, The Bongo Club, Henry's Cellar Bar and Summerhall - six much-loved local institutions which host regular gigs from up-and-coming artists.

To protect them, artists and music fans are encouraged to head to the campaign’s website to help save a venue currently in crisis.

Each under threat venue has its own crowdfunding page on the #SaveOurVenues Fund website, with a clear target of the funds it needs to raise to stay afloat throughout this difficult period.

If a target is met, any excess revenue then goes to the overall #SaveOurVenues Fund to help the wider grassroots music venue community throughout the UK.

To make a donation, click here.

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