MVP buys The Ferret, Preston

We are extremely proud to announce that we have secured the purchase of our 2nd Grassroots Music Venue, The Ferret in Preston.

The Ferret is a key venue in the North West, a 200 capacity venue run by a Community Interest Company, which has hosted artists such as Ed Sheeran, IDLES, Alt-J, Royal Blood and many more over the years and it means so much to be able to say it is saved!

The story of the saving of The Ferret has been long, featuring an amazing venue, Assets of Community Value, Crowdfunders, Local Council, Arts Council England and a team of amazing people on tenterhooks for the last 2 years but everyone at The Ferret and MVP wanted to thank you, the members of Music Venue Properties that have helped save this venue through your investment. 

"Music Venue Properties are very proud to move a second venue into community ownership and to be at the forefront of this exciting, and much needed, grassroots movement. Just over two years ago The Ferret team found out their building was up for sale when a sign was mounted on the front of the building, but today they can look forward to working with a landlord who will support its ambition to bring music to its local community. The cultural lease MVP has created will help to alleviate many of the pressures of a commercial lease and will allow the operators to start focusing on their long-term goals for the building. Crucially, it also guarantees the community of Preston, and the artists who rely on this network of GMVs, that this building will always be a Grassroots Music Venue." - Matthew Otridge, MVP COO "Grassroots Music Venues are valued cultural spaces that provide opportunities for people from all backgrounds to experience live music, supporting emerging artists and the teams who work with them. I'm thrilled that the future of The Ferret has been secured for the music lovers of Preston and as part of the national grassroots music ecology. We are committed to working alongside Music Venue Properties and other industry partners to continue to champion and support the health and vibrancy of grassroots music in England." - Claire Mera Nelson, Director, Music, Arts Council England “With the acquisition of The Snug and now The Ferret, MVP is helping secure the future of live music in the UK. We’re delighted to support their vision for grassroots music venues and communities with our largest ever Arts & Culture Impact Fund investment, and we look forward to seeing their impact grow.” -- Rachel Green, Investment Principal, Arts & Culture Impact Fund, Arts & Culture Finance.

To celebrate and champion the amazing work done we are hosting a variety of events at The Ferret on the 10th May including a plaque unveiling and Launch gig in the evening which local MVP members have been invited to. The Ferret is also hosting some further celebration events over the coming months amongst their usual amazing line up of gigs, so check out their listings for further information.