I have joined fellow Bristol MP Thangam Debbonaire MP for Bristol West in urging the Government to allow music venues to benefit from business rates discounts, which already apply to pubs and bars. Such a move could save Bristol music venues like Thekla Bristol and The Louisiana thousands of pounds a year, helping protect these small businesses and supporting the wider night-time economy too.

Like pubs, music venues provide entertainment and opportunities for socialising, whilst also supporting grassroots music and helping the next generation of musical talent to flourish. It’s wrong that they are excluded from the current discount, and I hope that the Chancellor addresses this issue in the Spring Statement today.