Bootle’s Salt & Tar Music Venue Poised for £585,000 Funding Approval

A new live music destination is potentially set to obtain over £500,000 to facilitate its transformation into a permanent venue for events. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority indicated its potential to provide Salt & Tar, located in Bootle, with financial assistance totaling £585,000. The site, which commenced operations adjacent to Bootle Strand earlier in the current year, is jointly owned by Sefton Council and the local musical group Red Rum Club. During August, both Tom Jones and Status Quo graced its stage at the Music Weekender festival, an event that drew an audience exceeding 11,000 attendees across its four-day duration. The proposition for this funding is scheduled for review at the Combined Authority’s meeting this month, set for 15 November. Mayor Steve Rotheram commented: “Salt & Tar is a brilliant example of the sort of cultural asset that we want to support and protect.” “This funding means not only can we secure a long-term future for this much-loved venue, it will also bring new opportunities to Bootle and Seaforth, creating jobs, boosting local learning and contributing to the area’s vibrant future.” Salt & Tar, initially founded with £2.1m in funding from the combined authority, received authorization in 2021 to operate for a duration of five years. The additional £585,000 would facilitate enhancements aimed at ensuring the venue’s long-term viability. Should the proposals gain approval, construction is anticipated to commence following next year’s scheduled events. Councillor Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, stated: “We’re really pleased to see this funding being earmarked for Sefton and it shows the confidence in what we’re doing here.” “It will help us to continue some of the great work taking place to support the local economy and improve facilities to make best use of them for the local community.”