MVP secures 4th Venue - The Booking Hall, Dover

The Booking Hall, situated in a 165-year-old, former train station, has become a key player in Kent’s music scene, offering a 280-capacity space for both up-and-coming and established artists including Don Broco, Frank Turner and Soft Play. With this purchase the venue’s future is secure, enabling it to continue its role as a vibrant centre for live music, free from the uncertainty faced by many grassroots music venues in a challenging climate. 

"Tollowing the owner’s decision earlier this year to put the building up for sale, we were trying to purchase the building ourselves, but did not have the capital up front for a deposit. Without Music Venue Properties stepping in to purchase the venue, the most likely outcome would have been a property developer turning the building into flats/offices.” ” said Stuart Cameron, Director of The Booking Hall.     

To know that the venue is secure for many generations to come is a great relief and definitely something to celebrate. Having MVP as a landlord, one who shares our vision for the venue, enables us to plan for the future – both in the short term and long term. 

“As well as continuing to support local musicians and provide a stage for up-and-coming artists, we are already having positive discussions with MVP about how we could make changes to the building, which could allow us to increase our capacity and in turn bring bigger bands to Dover. These certainly weren’t the kind of conversations we could have had prior to MVP’s ownership so we look forward to working together to realise the potential of the building.  Exciting times are ahead!” 

The purchase of The Booking Hall marks the 4th Grassroots Music Venue purchased by Music Venue Properties and follows the acquisition in October 2023 of The Snug in Atherton, Greater Manchester, The Ferret in Preston in May 2024 and The Bunkhouse in September 2024. Further venues across the country have been identified for purchase.

Matthew Otridge, COO of Music Venue Properties said, “We are delighted to announce that The Booking Hall has become the fourth venue that MVP has moved into community ownership. As the only recognised Grassroots Music Venue in Dover, it was crucial that MVP got involved when we did to safeguard this vital community hub. It became clear to us that we had made the right decision when the campaign to save the venue received significant backing from the people of Dover and beyond, and we'd like to thank them alongside our partners at Arts Council England and Figurative, for making this happen”  

Claire Mera-Nelson, Director, Music - Arts Council England said: "We’re thrilled that another grassroots music venue has had its future secured by Music Venue Properties through the investment of Arts Council England and other partners and the commitments made by music fans and the local community. The Booking Hall is a vital part of Dover’s grassroots music scene and we’re looking forward to seeing them thrive and continue to provide outstanding experiences for artists and audiences for many years to come." 

Rachel Green - Investment Principal - Figurative said: "MVP offers a genuinely exciting way forward for at-risk music venues like The Booking Hall, securing their future and engaging a new generation of musicians and music-lovers. This is exactly the kind of innovative funding and ownership model we need to meet the challenges facing the sector and restore control back to the local communities that are fostering talent and widening horizons every day."

Looking Ahead for Dover’s Music Scene 

With MVP as the new landlord, The Booking Hall will no longer face the commercial pressures that can often threaten independent venues. This change means the team can focus on what matters most – supporting musicians, putting on great shows, and engaging with the local community. 

Steve Harris, Iron Maiden and British Lion, who played a fundraising show to help Music Venue Properties purchase the venue, said it is “fantastic news about the Booking Hall and glad we could be of help!”  

Musician Kris Barras said: “I'm really pleased that the Booking Hall has managed to stay open. It's a great venue and it's so important for the music industry to have places like this surviving and thriving. The Booking Hall is home to the hottest, sweatiest shows I have ever done, so it will always hold a special place in my memories!”   This exciting acquisition is part of MVP’s mission to safeguard grassroots music venues across the UK, ensuring that they remain cultural hubs for their communities. Known for its rich history and role in live music and events, The Booking Hall will now benefit from long-term security under MVP’s #OwnOurVenues initiative.