Fatboy Slim invests in Brighton venue The Pipeline

Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, is among the investors who helped bring Brighton venue The Pipeline under community ownership through Music Venue Properties, part of the Music Venue Trust's Own Our Venues scheme, Mixmag reported. The venue launched in East London in 2009 before moving to Brighton, where it has run as an independent rock venue since 2017.

Music Venue Properties has been described as "The National Trust for Music Venues," purchasing buildings that house grassroots venues to give them long-term security so they can keep serving their communities.

"Our thriving music business needs grassroots venues," Cook said in a statement. "Community ownership means they pay fair rent and have security, knowing their venue will not suddenly be turned into a block of flats."

"I have invested a substantial sum and I am proud to be able to help protect the nurturing environments for future musicians and DJs," he added, urging other musicians and fans alike to join him. "It's not a donation, it's an investment in the future of our wonderful music industry."

The Pipeline's operator, Thomas Evrenos, said the deal lets the venue focus on "putting on great shows, supporting grassroots talent and giving people a place to belong," free from the uncertainty of the commercial property market.

"Everyone here is really happy about this, not just the team at The Pipeline but the wider Brighton music community," Evrenos said, adding that community ownership has given the venue "a future" and lets it keep playing its part in Brighton's music scene for years to come.