Fender asks fans to nominate struggling UK grassroots venues for gear support

The scheme asks the public to nominate their favourite grassroots venue. Three winning spaces – one from England, Wales, and Scotland – will be selected based on the highest number of regional nominations received. Each will receive a bundle of Fender gear, including amps, cabs, and mixers. The size of the bundle will be tailored to the venue’s needs.

Everyone who submits a nomination is also entered into a prize draw to win a Fender 75th Anniversary Player II Sparkle Precision Bass. Nominations close on 1 October.

“Grassroots music venues are where it all begins, the stages where artists cut their teeth, develop their careers, and the places music fans discover their new favourite acts,” said Liam Cunnah, who is Fender's Executive Vice President (EMEA). “Nobody knows these spaces better than the communities they serve, and we look forward to getting some fantastic new gear into the rooms where the next generation of artists will make their mark.”

The partnership arrives as beloved venues such as Moth Club (pictured above) remain under threat from developers. MVT has repeatedly warned of the economic pressures facing underground spaces, with rising costs contributing to a landslide of closures in recent years. The organisation has argued that these spaces are not only crucial for artist development but also function as cultural infrastructure within their local communities.

“Grassroots music venues are where artists develop their craft, build audiences and create the foundations of sustainable careers,” said Denzil Thomas, Partnerships Lead at Music Venue Trust. “They are also vital cultural spaces at the heart of their communities.”

The nomination process is designed to draw public attention to the spaces that remain open and active, rather than trying to solve all their problems with new gear.