Co-founder of Marshall and his wife donate £100k to support grassroots venues
Terry Marshall, the co-founder of Marshall Amplification, is supporting an initiative to secure the future of grassroots music venues in the UK.
Along with his wife Lesley, the pair have made a generous personal donation of £100,000 to the Own Our Venues funding initiative, launched by Music Venue Properties (MVP). The initiative first kicked off in 2023, and has already raised £2.88 million to secure five grassroots music venues by placing them into community ownership.
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Grassroots venues are essential to the livelihoods of growing bands and artists, but they are closing down at an alarming rate across the country. Music Venue Properties recently announced a new £3 million fundraising Own Our Venues campaign, with the aim of protecting a further seven venues.
This funding round, now backed by Marshall and his partner, is hoping to protect The Joiners (Southampton), Bedford Esquires, The Croft (Bristol), The Sugarmill (Stoke), Peggy’s Skylight (Nottingham), The Pipeline (Brighton), and The Lubber Fiend (Newcastle).
Marshall, who worked on the first ever Marshall amp – the famed JTM45 – states, “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.”
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Matt Otridge, COO of Music Venue Properties, also comments: “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.”
Otridge continues, “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.”
You can support Own Our Venues by investing via its Crowdfunder page. Investments start from just £50 for under 25s.
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