The goal of this petition is to ensure that Liam Heeley’s voice is heard by Manchester City Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and relevant government bodies, so the positive change he is already creating within Manchester’s creative community can be accelerated, supported, and scaled.

As someone deeply embedded in Manchester’s arts and creative scene, I have seen first-hand how difficult it has become for artists and creatives to sustain themselves, despite contributing so much to the city’s culture. Manchester is celebrated globally as a creative city, yet many of the people who shape that reputation are struggling to survive without adequate structural support or representation.

The reality is that the average grassroots artist often earns as little as £40 per show, and many creatives are never taught how to build a sustainable income from their work. Liam Heeley has already demonstrated what’s possible when artists are given the right guidance and opportunities. In one instance, he helped a single artist increase their earnings by 13 times through one show alone.

Beyond events and funding, Liam provides something equally vital: education. Through practical, experience-led conversations, he helps creatives understand how to price their work, structure opportunities, and build a realistic pathway toward earning a living from their creativity. In many cases, he can outline a clear blueprint for sustainable income in just minutes, knowledge that is currently missing from formal support structures.

But right now, there is no formal support fighting for these creatives. Much of this work is being carried by one person, working independently from his laptop at home, without the resources, recognition, or backing needed to create wider, lasting change.

That is why we are calling on Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to step in. To listen, to support, and to help turn this grassroots impact into something sustainable at a city level.

I have watched talented friends step away from music and creative careers not because of a lack of ability or ambition, but because they were left to navigate an impossible system alone. Elevating Liam Heeley’s voice would help ensure that the realities faced by grassroots creatives are finally represented where decisions are made.

Liam Heeley is already working to change this.

What Liam Heeley has already done: 

• Delivered 140+ grassroots creative events in the past 3 years, creating consistent, paid opportunities for emerging and independent artists across Manchester
• Over 166 individuals paid since January 2024.
• Pioneered artist-first compensation models, including the 200% show initiative, which helped participating artists earn up to 13 times more than the typical grassroots show fee
• Gained national and local recognition for this work, including coverage from Manchester Evening News (featured 4 times) and GRM Daily
• Raised money for charities, including Andy’s Man Club, using live music and creative events as a force for social good
• Created career-defining opportunities for artists at AO Arena in front of 20,000 people, with the performance watched live worldwide on DAZN
• Connected Manchester creatives with major global brands, including paid collaborations with Manchester United, where four local creatives featured in the club’s official Christmas campaign
• Personally invested his own money into Manchester’s creative community, backing initiatives that return up to 200% of revenue directly to artists
• Built collaborative spaces and events that bring together musicians, photographers, designers, and other creatives
• Strengthened Manchester’s grassroots creative network through collaboration, skill-sharing, and community-led development
• Actively championed artists who are often overlooked, ensuring early-stage creatives gain visibility, confidence, and real opportunities

Liam has demonstrated clear leadership, impact, and an understanding of the challenges facing Manchester’s creative communities.

What we are asking for

We want Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to actively engage with Liam Heeley and ensure his insights help shape local cultural policy.

This includes:

• Amplifying Liam Heeley’s voice within council and government conversations around culture, nightlife, and grassroots music
• Involving him in advisory or consultative discussions where decisions directly affect creative communities
• Addressing unnecessary barriers facing grassroots venues and artists including restrictive policies that limit live music in areas such as Ancoats, which have already placed significant strain on independent venues.

This initiative aims to ensure that Liam Heeley’s proven, community-led impact is not ignored, but instead helps inform faster, more practical action at a policy level.

Why this matters

The UK’s creative industries contribute over £100 billion to the economy each year, but those benefits only exist if creatives are able to survive, grow, and innovate locally. Supporting community-led leaders like Liam helps ensure that policy decisions reflect real-world creative realities not just top-down strategies.

By recognising and engaging with leaders who are already embedded in Manchester’s creative community on the ground, the city can strengthen its cultural future while staying true to its grassroots identity.

Sign this petition to urge Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to listen, engage, and act.

Let’s ensure that Liam Heeley’s voice  and the voices of the creatives he represents are heard where decisions are made, so Manchester’s creative spirit can continue to thrive.