'Independent venues are the heart of the community'

11 hours ago

Sarah TurnnidgeWest of England

News image — Lotte Lyster and Miles Connolly run the Prince Albert pub in Stroud

Fred Chance Lotte and Miles stand together in the doorway of their pub. They are holding hands and smiling underneath a large sign which reads 'Prince Albert'. — Lotte Lyster and Miles Connolly run the Prince Albert pub in Stroud

Independent music venues across the West are gearing up for a week of events celebrating their contribution to the towns and cities they are based in.

Monday marks the start of Independent Venue Week (IVW), an annual programme of hundreds of gigs across the country encouraging people to get involved in their local music scene.

A number of venues across the West Country, including Bristol, Bath and Stroud have planned a series of performances aimed at bringing in wider audiences from their communities.

"IVW really puts live music and small venues on the map and gets a few more people through our doors," said Lotte Lyster, who owns the Prince Albert in Stroud with her husband Miles Connolly.

Alex Hunt Two musicians sit on a low stage playing guitars. One is wearing a black cap and another has long blonde hair. There are fairy lights over a piano and a crowd of people are standing in the audience around them. — The Prince Albert hosts multiple gigs a week, focusing on bringing new music to the area

With a state-of-the-art PA system and a full calendar of gigs throughout the year, the Prince Albert focuses on bringing music to the area that the community might not otherwise get the chance to see live.

"We're quite lucky that sometimes we're kind of punching above our weight for what you'd expect to have in a little pub just outside Stroud," Lyster said.

"We're inviting people to come and have an exciting night with music that they have or haven't heard before, but they know whatever they do [...] it's going to be a good night, well delivered and fun for all."

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Hugh stands in front of a staircase with handrails on both sides, leading to an area lit by pink and purple lights. He is is wearing a light-coloured buttoned shirt with a pen in the pocket. Neon-style text is visible in the background but is partially obscured by lighting effects. — Phillimore described venues as the "heart" of their communities

Little more than a mile away, in the centre of Stroud, the Sub Rooms - which was taken over by a charitable trust in 2019 - is also taking part in IVW.

The venue announced in September that it had turned a profit for the first time in its history in 2025, having undergone a huge overhaul in the acoustics, the bar and the range of events put on across its rooms.

"If a town doesn't have a venue, then it's kind of lost the heart of it," said the venue's director Hugh Phillimore.

"There's nothing for the kids to do. Old farts like me can't go and see terrible old bands that we remember [from] when we were 16.

"It's really essential to have a kind of central place [...] I think venues are at the heart of the community and the heart of a lot of towns."

The Canteen Lauren, who has long dark hair and wears a large brown fur jacket, smiles over her shoulder. She is in front of a heavily graffitied wall, with a large billboard for the Canteen behind her. The billboard says: "Bristol, a message from the Canteen: Independent venues are for life, not just for xmas. 24.9% of grassroots music venues are under the threat of permanent closure. Support independent venues before they close for good." — Lauren Poole said the week focused on the "joy" venues bring to their communities

Some of Bristol's most popular independent venues are also taking part in IVW, including the Canteen in Stokes Croft, which offers free live music every night.

Marketing manager Lauren Poole said she thought the yearly event helped "massively" in raising the profile of independent venues and the musicians they showcase.

"IVW really helps shine a light on why it's so important to support these venues whenever you can," she said.

"It's a really special thing where they don't focus on the struggles of independent venues, which there are many [...] they just try to focus on all the joy they bring to their communities."

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