A legendary award-winning music venue in Bedford could secure its future as part of a groundbreaking community ownership project – and local people are at the heart of its success.
Esquires, run by Gareth and Louisa Barber, is among seven iconic grassroots music venues (GMVs) across the UK that have been included in the Music Venue Trust’s (MVT) ‘Own Our Venues’ project, which focuses on removing the venues from vulnerable commercial leases.
The aim of Music Venue Properties (MVP), the pioneering Charitable Community Benefit Society created by Music Venue Trust (MVT) almost 10 years ago, is to provide long-term stability to venues like Esquires that are essential for fostering local talent and providing cultural value to existing, local infrastructure.
Following the success of its first campaign in 2023, which raised £2.88 million and secured the future of venues including The Snug in Atherton, The Ferret in Preston, Le Pub in Newport, The Bunkhouse in Swansea, and The Booking Hall in Dover, MVP is once again calling on music lovers and local communities to protect vital cultural spaces.
MVP has today announced that it plans to acquire a further seven venues through a second community share offer, which opens today (15 May) and closes on 31 July 2025.
“The Own Our Venues project allows the community and industry to all invest in the same way and get the same control – one vote per investment,” said Chris Sherington of the Music Venues Trust.
“Our last round of funding attracted artist support from Ed Sheeran and industry support from Sony and Amazon among others.
“This time we’re hoping to purchase seven venues, including Esquires, to secure its future as a legendary grassroots venue.”
Describing Esquires, Chris said: “It is one of the figurehead venues across the UK and it would be wonderful to secure it for the future. It gives people pride in place, so securing these places is key for communities.”
You can find out how to get involved here.
You can access the crowdfunded here.
Cultural lease
The ‘cultural lease’ provides long-term security by offering stability that typical commercial leases, averaging just 18 months, cannot.
These leases ensure fair, sustainable rent, annual contributions toward essential maintenance, and ongoing support in areas such as financial sustainability and operational best practice.
This comprehensive support helps venues focus on their mission to bring music to their local communities while shielding them from the financial pressures of the commercial lease market.
Today’s announcement focuses on the purchase of longstanding, iconic music spaces, including Esquires in Bedford.
The other venues are The Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent & The Joiners in Southampton, alongside key community hubs such as The Croft
in Bristol, Peggy’s Skylight in Nottingham, The Lubber Fiend in Newcastle and The Pipeline in Brighton.
Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Esquires in Bedford is one of the UK’s most cherished grassroots music venues, and has welcomed iconic acts such as Muse, Coldplay, Elbow, Franz Ferdinand, Wolf Alice, and Biffy Clyro to its stages.
It has also played a pivotal role in launching local talents like Tom Grennan, Don Broco, and Alfie Templeman and recently won the Bedford Independent’s Everyday Heroes award for Raising the Profile of the Borough.
As Bedford’s only grassroots music venue, Esquires remains a vital hub for live music, championing emerging artists across genres and operating up to seven days a week.
Gareth Barber, the director of Esquires, told the Bedford Independent: “This isn’t a cry for help, we’ve still got five years on our lease, but this is securing the future of Esquires beyond that five years and for future generations.
“Our landlord has decided to retire, and we are unable to extend the lease. The reality is that the venue sits on prime development land any prospective buyer will undoubtedly want to do the unthinkable.
“Without being part of Own Our Venues, there is no feasible way of being able to raise enough money to keep the venue for the town, which would rip the heart out of the community.
“With MVP behind us we can continue to grow, and there’s no reason why my successor shouldn’t be here in 35 years celebrating Esquires’ 70th anniversary.”
Long live Esquires
Bedford’s leaders have wholeheartedly backed the campaign to bring Esquires into community ownership.
Cllr Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Planning and Prosperity (Conservative), said: “Esquires is a part of our musical heritage in Bedford, and I absolutely love it there.
“Without Esquires, music-lovers in Bedford wouldn’t have had a chance to see bands like Supergrass or The Libertines when they were on their way to stardom, or brilliant local bands like my personal favourites The Ouse Valley Singles Club.
“One of the reasons Esquires keeps thriving is it keeps offering new and different things, so on any given night it could be a local band, a vintage act, a tribute artist, a 1980s disco, or something entirely unexpected.
“That’s why this investment isn’t just a sentimental move but promises to prove smart business by MVP.”
Tom Wootton (Conservative), mayor of Bedford Borough, added, “The Council is keen to support initiatives which ensure our town and the wider borough remain vibrant places full of life and culture.
“So why wouldn’t we be delighted to support this?
“Bedford without Esquires is unthinkable, like the ravens leaving the Tower of London. And whilst it would be a fool’s errand to even try to list all the great bands who have played there over the years, I’d give a special mention to local acts like Don Broco, Tom Grennan and Alfie Templeman for whom the venue has been vital.
“Long live Esquires!”
Bedford and Kempston MP, Mohammad Yasin (Labour), said that Esquires is more than just a venue, it is “the soul of Bedford’s cultural life”.
“For decades, it has championed local talent, welcomed world-renowned artists, and brought people together through the unifying power of live music.
“Through the turbulence of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the community has stood firmly behind it. This move toward community ownership is a powerful testament to what Esquires means to Bedford and to the incredible people who recognise its value.
“Across the UK, grassroots music venues are under huge financial pressure. That’s why I support plans to urge the live music industry to ensure every arena or stadium ticket includes a contribution to support GMVs, artists, and promoters.
“It’s encouraging to see Esquires leading the way to secure its future, a move that will strengthen our local economy, support Bedford’s creative community, and inspire the next generation of artists.
“I wholeheartedly support this campaign and encourage everyone to get involved, to protect the past, present, and future of live music in Bedford.”
More information and other supporting documents are available on the Music Venue Properties website here.
