Big Issue invests in east London venues

Iconic London venues Village Underground and EartH have received a boost from Big Issue Invest, the social investment arm of the homelessness charity.

Funding committed to VU X Earth Limited, which owns the venues, will pay for refurbishments for a new creative training workspace.

VU will work with local providers including Hackney Empire to showcase young local talent and prepare them for careers in live entertainment over the next five years.

CEO Auro Foxcroft said: "We are grateful for Big Issue Invest’s support to lead us out of difficult times allowing us to launch new education facilities and programmes, renovate our venues and reopen bigger and better than ever before."