Music Venue Properties (MVP) has successfully acquired the freehold of The Joiners in Southampton and The Croft in Bristol.

Both venues have played vital roles in the UK music scene, hosting early performances by future superstars, and before this intervention both venues were endangered by precarious lease arrangements. The Joiners’ lease was due to expire in 2025 placing the venue’s future in serious doubt, with The Croft in Bristol facing similar urgent challenges.

MVT prioritised these sites for purchase, and the buildings are now safe indefinitely as dedicated music spaces, protected from the whims of commercial landlords. By saving these iconic music venues, Music Venue Trust’s latest success guarantees a home for the next generation of artists to cut their teeth, keeping the grassroots music ecosystem alive and thriving for years to come.

We spoke to MVT to find out more:

Can you explain exactly what these venues are now protected against in practical terms, and how your model differs from a standard commercial lease?

What specific threats were the venues you’ve purchased facing?

Is it a nationwide problem across the board, or are certain regions affected more than others?

How do you determine which venues to prioritise for purchase?

What does success look for you as a charity in five, ten, twenty years?