Sally Brown's in North Parade, Bradford replacing dancefloor

Sally Brown’s, a ska and northern soul music venue on North Parade, has received £4,100 from charity Music Venue Trust’s (MVT) Investment Fund to pay for new flooring.

The business celebrated on its Facebook page, revealing the dancefloor had become “a real hazard” and was being held together by yellow security tape.

A representative from Sally Brown’s said: “The investment from the pipeline investment fund will allow us to make some much needed repairs to our dance floor which we have been struggling to prioritise due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“The money will mean that our customers can enjoy the amazing performers and show their appreciation as raucously as they like with a safe place to stand.”

Final skank at Sally Brown's on North Parade (Image: UGC)

It is yet more positive news for Sally Brown’s after the bar was saved from closure at the eleventh hour last October.

The much-loved bar opened in November 2021 but announced in early October last year that it would be shutting with “immediate effect”.

Among the reasons for its closure were Covid-19, limited “opportunities” with Bradford’s night economy, “extortionate” business rates and competition from other businesses.

But a crowdfunding campaign was launched to save the bar which sparked an outpouring of support from customers and just over £1,700 was raised.

MVT’s Pipeline Investment Fund was established in 2022 with the support of members of the Music Venues Alliance.

It was primarily funded by donations from ticket sales of the charity’s recent “Revive Live” programme of gigs around the UK, which was in partnership with The National Lottery.

Small-scale grant applications of up to £5,000 were invited from UK based Grassroots Music Venues to support two key areas of work.

This included small-scale capital projects – such as lights, sound, access, ventilation and minor building alterations – and staff and training – covering workforce diversification, succession planning, skills development and strengthening local community ties.

Steven Davis, owner of Sally Brown's on Bradford's North Parade (Image: Newsquest)

There were 11 venues in total that were awarded grants – totalling £40,000 – in the inaugural round of payments in December.

A further 14 businesses – including Sally Brown’s – have now been awarded almost £70,000 to help fund a range of needs.

The Bradford bar and The Lughole, in Sheffield were the only places in Yorkshire and the Humber to benefit from the latest round of grants.

The fund prioritises support for organisations who may have been excluded from other available funding.

MVT is still actively seeking further donations, particularly from the wider music industry, to maintain and expand the Pipeline Investment Fund and make it a permanent source of support for Grassroots Music Venues.