Manchester’s legendary Star & Garter issues update on future as music venue
The iconic Star & Garter venue in Manchester has issued an update on its future as a grassroots music venue.
- READ MORE: 2023 was “worst year for venue closures” while “no one in music industry seems to care”, say MVT
According to a new update, the Grade II-listed building on Fairfield Street will continue to operate as an independent music venue and pub. This comes following a pledge from a new operator, who is looking to honour the legacy of beloved landlord Andy Martin, who died last year.
The venue first came under threat a few years ago, and was saved in 2019 when new owners signed a 10-year lease with the landlord. The partnership also pledged continued investment to refurbish and keep the pub as a live music venue.
Now, it has been announced that immediate investment will come from global events business Broadwick, which is looking to both make “essential infrastructure improvements” and preserve the venue’s “iconic atmosphere and unique charm” (via Manchester Evening News).
The space will remain run by Danny Marsh and continue to host gigs and live shows.
Originally named The Star And Garter Tavern, the building first opened in 1803 and has gone on to become a cornerstone in Manchester’s music scene. It has seen performances from artists such as Status Quo, Bring Me The Horizon, Courteeners, Frank Carter And The Rattlesnakes and more.
It was initially built around 50 yards away from where it is located now, and was moved in 1849 due to the expansion of the London Road Railway station. It has remained open in recent years due to Andy Martin’s efforts. This has included campaigning for the venue’s survival amid plans to redevelop the area and expand Piccadilly Station.
Martin died in March last year, aged 52. Tributes poured in and funds were raised to support his family and funeral costs.
Speaking about the future of the venue, Martin’s wife Helen said: “The relationship with Broadwick has evolved over time, and I know Andy would be happy to see the team stepping in to support The Star & Garter.
“I’m confident this partnership will protect everything Andy loved about the venue,” she continued. “Broadwick’s commitment to respecting his legacy and ensuring that the character and vibe of The Star & Garter, the staff, club nights, gigs and other bookings remain intact is a great sense of assurance for us all.”
Music Venue Trust’s Jay Taylor also added: “Andy was devoted to the Star & Garter and the venue community he assembled; his vision and determination were unshakable for 23 years. When Andy tragically passed away in March last year, it was devastating for his family, friends and the venue community, and it left a void not only at the heart of the Star & Garter but within Greater Manchester music.
“Music Venue Trust welcomes Broadwick as the new operators of the Star & Garter. We are delighted that the venue’s long-term future is now secured and that the Broadwick team is committed to building on Andy’s extraordinary legacy.”
Doubts over the venue’s future first emerged in 2014, when Martin claimed the site was unlikely to last three years. It attracted more momentum in 2016, when Courteeners sang of “finding solace at the Star & Garter’ on their track ‘Modern Love’.
The uncertainty around the future of grassroots venues across the UK stretches far beyond The Star & Garter. Last year, Music Venue Trust delivered their full report on the state of the sector for 2023, showing the “disaster” facing live music with venues closing at a rate of around two per week.
MVT’s Mark Davyd then presented the findings at Westminster, and continued to echo their calls for a £1 levy on tickets for gigs at arena size and above. This allows for major labels and venues to pay back into the grassroots scene.
In 2023, following the closure of legendary Bath music venue Moles, Davyd explained the threat facing the UK’s live music scene in greater detail, and told NME that the live music industry was “interested in making money but not in the ecosystem.”
Famous faces from the industry have been getting involved in helping support grassroots spaces too. Last year, Coldplay announced that 10 per cent of their proceeds from their upcoming stadium shows in London and Hull would be given to Music Venue Trust, in a bid to help support venues around the country. Before then, English Teacher frontwoman Lily Fontaine – who previously spoke to NME about the importance of grassroots music venues – told MPs at a hearing about how artists are facing “a crisis in terms of funding”.
The UK government has started to back the call for a ticket levy on arena gigs and above to feed the grassroots. Pressure was put on MPs to take action as small venues are finding themselves in unstable territory, and artists are struggling more than ever to make ends meet.
A deadline for the music industry to take more concrete action to protect its smaller counterparts has been set for March, before the government will be forced to step in and act.
The post Manchester’s legendary Star & Garter issues update on future as music venue appeared first on NME.
Liberty Dunworth
NME
