Terry Marshall, co-founder of Marshall Amplification, donates £100k of his own money to grassroots venuesTerry Marshall, the co-founder of Marshall Amplification, and his wife Lesley, have made a personal donation of £100,000 to the Own Our Venues funding initiative to secure the futures of vital grassroots venues.
Own Our Venues was launched in 2023 by Music Venue Properties (MVP), with the aim of securing important grassroot music spaces, which have been rapidly closing down throughout the UK. The initiative has already raised £2.88 million to secure five grassroots music venues by placing them into community ownership, protecting them from the instability of commercial landlords and ensuring they remain “affordable, accessible, and artist-first”.

READ MORE: The £1 ticket levy scheme has already raised £500,000 for grassroots venues

Grassroots venues, also known as GMVs, are essential in nurturing rising and local music talent. Music Venue Properties recently announced a new £3 million fundraising Own Our Venues campaign with the aim of protecting a further seven iconic GMVs: The Joiners (Southampton), Bedford Esquires, The Croft (Bristol), The Sugarmill (Stoke), Peggy’s Skylight (Nottingham), The Pipeline (Brighton), and The Lubber Fiend (Newcastle).
Marshall comments: “Small venues have played a vital role over the years in my long career as a professional sax player, and, of course, created the path to success for countless other musicians too. But so many have closed their doors since I first started out at the age of 14.
“My wife Lesley and I get to grassroots venues whenever we can, as we both appreciate live music close up and personal. (I still do the occasional guest appearance at 81). We hope that future generations of musicians and music lovers will be able to have these amazing experiences too. That’s why we’re supporting Own Our Venues with a substantial contribution. With enough support from others in the music industry and fellow artists, Own Our Venues can make that hope a reality. It’s up to you.”

Matt Otridge, COO of Music Venue Properties, adds: “Grassroots venues are where careers begin and ensure communities have access to local, live music. They’re rehearsal spaces, testing grounds, and second homes for countless artists. That’s why Terry and Lesley’s incredible £100,000 donation is more than generous, it’s leadership.
“It shows the deeply personal impact these spaces have on everyone and reminds the music industry that we all have a role to play. Their contribution builds on the belief already shown by over 1500 community investors, and we’re proud to welcome them into the Music Venue Properties family.”
If you’d like to support the funding initiative, investments are available from just £50. Find out more via the Own Our Venues Crowdfunder.
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