Music Venue Trust respond as UK government delay reopening date

Music Venue Trust respond as UK government delay reopening date

Posted on: 15 Jun 2021

More than 4000 shows are set to be cancelled as grassroots venues across Bristol and beyond are hit with yet another setback.

 

The government's decision to delay their 'freedom day' - the full lifting of all coronavirus restrictions nationwide - four weeks from 21 June to 19 July will cost the UK's nightlife sector £36 million, the Music Venue Trust has announced.

 

Announcing their update yesterday (Monday 14 June), the government confirmed plans to push the date back due to concerns regarding an increase in cases of the new Delta variant of COVID-19.

 

After well over a year of complete closure for many, grassroots venues have been dealt a huge blow by the coronavirus crisis, and are now being forced to reschedule programming and rearrange shows once more.

 

The Music Venue Trust, who have been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to support UK nightlife, estimate that more than 4000 shows will be cancelled nationwide as a result of the delay, denying thousands of people the chance to get back to work.

 

 

In a responding statement released yesterday, Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd said: "Today’s announcement of a delay to the reopening at full capacity of grassroots music venues is obviously a crippling blow to the sector.

 

"Huge amounts of work will need to go into rescheduling, cancellations, rebooking, refunds and managing customers, staff and artists. The delay will cost the sector £36 million, adding to the mounting pile of debt which this crisis has created."

 

The statement went on to acknowledge that, while there is a third round of the government's Culture Recovery Fund worth a total £300 million on the way, many venues have reported lengthy delays on their previous payments, or missing payments altogether.

 

 

The Music Venue Trust also called into question the scientific reasoning for the government's decision, noting that "mass gatherings of people, both indoors and outdoors," are already taking place nationwide.

 

"The government's position that such activities present a unique and special danger if a live band are playing is neither believable nor supported by the science," Davyd added.

 

Going forwards, the Trust are urging the government to release the findings of their Events Research Programme, which saw tester events hosted at venues in Liverpool with no social distancing guidelines in place to monitor the spread of the virus.

 

"If, as we believe, the data does not provide that causality link, the government must explain on what basis it is making decisions on restrictions of live music," Davyd said.

 

Main Image: Motion

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.