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The UK Events Industry believes that September 2020 is expected to be the most significant month when it comes to post COVID-19 recovery, as its forecasts a rise in both enquiry and booking levels, according to a survey.

The Business Events Sentiment Survey, created by specialist PR and brand communications agency davies tanner, in partnership with the Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP), received responses from 556 business events professionals across the UK. The survey was created to assist venues, hotels, destinations and other key sector suppliers in planning recovery activity post the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the survey, 38% of respondents stated September 2020 as the primary month when they expect to see both enquiries and bookings begin to increase, though some believe this will happen sooner, with 12% indicating July as the beginning of the recovery period. A further 10% believe this will be August, with 13% indicating this will begin in October.

In terms of industry-wide recovery, respondents believe that the impact of COVID-19 on the business events industry will be longer lasting. 50% of respondents believe that the industry as a whole will not return to any form of normality for at least 12 months, with only 27% believing that this could be achieved within 9 - 12 months.

The Business Events Sentiment survey provides a snapshot of sentiment across the UK business events industry, and was completed by buyers (corporate planners, associations and agencies), venues and suppliers between 6th – 14th April, prior to the further lockdown measures introduced on April 16th.

For more information and to download a free copy of the report, please go to:
https://bit.ly/2VXxT7Q

• Sadiq launches £2.3m Culture at Risk Business Support Fund to support London’s creative and cultural industries at risk due to the impact of the coronavirus
• Support will be given to grassroots music venues, LGBTQ+ venues, artist workspaces and independent cinemas across the capital

• The Mayor calls on Government to do more to secure the sector’s future

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today launched a new emergency £2.3m fund to support culture and creative industries at risk due to the impact of the coronavirus. 

The Mayor is working with the Music Venue Trust, the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, the Creative Land Trust and BFI to help venues and artists across the capital through the new Culture at Risk Business Support Fund.

He will provide £450,000 to the Music Venue Trust to support up to 147 grassroots music venues and £225,000 to support up to 56 LGBTQ+ venues in partnership with the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum. There is £1.5m to the Creative Land Trust to support thousands of tenants across 200 artist studios workspaces and £150,000 to the BFI to help up to 25 of London’s treasured independent cinemas. Organisations set to benefit are those most at risk of falling into administration and unable to benefit from Government schemes. This will be supported by an investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The coronavirus is having a significant impact on London’s arts scene and night time economy, with countless shows, events and concerts scrapped or postponed, and venues having to shut their doors and potentially face permanent closure. Many artists and performers are also self-employed and unable to benefit from the Government’s support programmes. Sadiq continues to call on the Government to do much more to provide the support the sector needs to protect its future.

The culture and creative industries and night time economy are incredibly important to London and will be integral in its recovery after the coronavirus crisis. The culture and creative industries are worth £52 billion to the capital’s economy a year and account for one in six jobs. Grassroots venues and organisations have been the foundation of this success, giving a stage for artists to develop their talents and playing a key role in the night time economy, and the Mayor has worked hard to support these industries and help stabilise the number of venues following a decade of decline.

Sadiq is also helping arts and cultural businesses through:

• Pay It Forward London which helps Londoners buy goods and services in advance
• the London Community Response which is supporting voluntary and charitable organisations.
• supporting the Museum of London and East Bank.
• promoting innovative culture online.
• expanding his Culture at Risk office to offer help and advice to venues and creatives.
• backing the Music Venue Trust’s UK-wide #SaveOurVenues campaign to help support live music venues and studios.
•  urging the Government to ensure that all those working in the creative sector are supported.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The coronavirus outbreak is having a significant impact on every aspect of life in London, and that includes our culture, creative industries and night time economy. These industries are so important to the fabric of our city during the day and night, and they will play a key role in helping us to recover from this public health crisis. I’m pleased to be working together with the Music Venue Trust, the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, the Creative Land Trust and the BFI to offer this emergency funding to those areas most at need, but we need the Government to step forward and provide the comprehensive support this industry needs to protect its future.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries said: “Culture is part of London’s DNA. It is the reason many of us choose to live here and why so many visit each year. It inspires and entertains, and boosts our economy day and night by billions each year. But now more than ever our world-renowned grassroots music venues, LGBTQ+ venues, cinemas and artists need support. They are facing a huge challenge to maintain their existences, and through this fund we will do all we can to support them through these challenging times.”

Jemma Read, Global Head of Corporate Philanthropy, Bloomberg L.P. said: “The coronavirus pandemic risks the continuity of thousands of London’s cultural and creative institutions and with it, the vitality and prosperity of our city. We are proud to be working alongside the Mayor of London and many of our long-standing philanthropic partners to protect the future of London's dynamic arts industry.”

Beverley Whitrick, Music Venue Trust, said: “Music Venue Trust works on behalf of grassroots music venues across the whole UK but the greatest concentration of our members is in London. These venues are some of the most impacted by the current crisis because the costs of running a venue in London are so high. This funding from the Mayor of London means that MVT will be able to increase the support on offer to each and every venue, dedicating invaluable human resources, specialist advice and financial assistance where other measures come up short - everything possible to sustain these venues so they can reopen in the future and host artists and audiences safely and professionally.”

Gordon Seabright, Chief Executive, Creative Land Trust, said: “The Creative Land Trust was formed to make sure that London’s artists, makers and creatives can find studio spaces.  We’re pleased to have been asked to support the operation of the Culture at Risk Business Support Fund, and we are glad that the Mayor is making support for the sector such a high priority.”

Ben Roberts, Chief Executive of the BFI, said: “We really value the Mayor’s commitment to supporting London's film culture, now more than ever. Through the BFI Film Audience Network, spearheaded by Film Hub London in the capital, we support a range of diverse independent venues and organisations who are dedicated to bringing great cinema to audiences. Many of them run the risk of permanent closure, and we hope the Resilience Fund, now with a crucial funding boost from the Mayor, will help them continue their vital work.”

Adrian Wootton OBE, Chief Executive of Film London and the British Film Commission, said: “London’s independent cinemas make a significant contribution to the capital’s cultural and economic life. With support from Film Hub London these cinemas regularly engage a wide-ranging audience with diverse programmes and it’s vital that we support them to open their doors again when the time is right and that continued connections are in place with the local communities they serve. Today’s announcement acknowledges the importance of London's independent cinemas for the role they play in the UK launch and release of British and independent films, which make them such a vital part of the economic ecosystem of the Industry, as well as community hubs where Londoners can come together and celebrate stories that reflect our lives on screen. Together with the Mayor of London and the BFI we must ensure that they are still here when these difficult times are over.”

DJ Ritu, DJ and broadcaster, said: “I’m delighted the Mayor is supporting London’s LGBTQ+ venues through his business support fund. These venues provide a welcoming space to the community as well as employment for hundreds of people. They also support a diverse ecosystem of talent, which includes promoters, DJs and performers. By accessing this support, venues stand a fighting chance of securing their future and ensuring that they will be able to open their doors again soon.”

Music Venue Trust (MVT) has announced a new campaign #saveourvenues, in response to the continued economic threat to over 500 grassroots music venues throughout the UK. Following on from the launch of their Grassroots Music Venues (GMV) Crisis fund last month, #saveourvenues is aimed at artists, music fans, and the wider music industry and aims to raise both money and awareness. 

To date, the GMV Crisis Fund has raised over £182,000 thanks to significant donations from Amazon Music, SJM, a number of high-profile artists and music fans throughout the UK.  From today The GMV Crisis Fund will be re-named the #saveourvenues fund and will form part of a wider initiative that will see artists raising money for individual venues with whom they have a personal connection. 

Artists are being encouraged to choose a venue that is currently in crisis from an interactive map and dropdown menu,  which can be found on the campaign website at www.saveourvenues.co.uk. Those artists will then be given the tools and guidance to perform an ‘at home’ gig in support of that particular venue. Each venue will have its own crowdfunding page with a clear target of the funds it needs to raise to stay afloat throughout this difficult period. Once a target is reached any excess revenue will go to the central #saveourvenues fund to help the wider grassroots music venue community. 

Currently, 556 venues are at risk including The Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent. “We're extremely proud to be a grassroots music venue. These spaces are pipelines for talent and absolute lifelines for the communities they serve and the talents therein. We cannot allow them to be consigned to the past. UK music culture as we know it will simply not exist without these spaces, so it is vital to protect them” said Danni Brownsill, the venue’s chief booker and promoter. 

Artists are also being asked to support the #saveourvenues initiative via their social media platforms using the #saveourvenues hashtag and directing their fans to shows they are performing as part of this initiative and signposting the way to the www.saveourvenues.co.uk website where donations can be made. 

One of the main drivers of this initiative is Frank Turner whose recent series of ‘Independent Venue Love’ shows, (which took place at different times to provide access for both European and North American audiences) for local venues Nambucca (London), The Joiners (Southampton), the Railway Inn (Winchester), The Shed (Leicester) and The Forum (Tunbridge Wells), raised thousands of pounds and provided a major inspiration for this campaign. 

Frank Turner said, “The UK live music industry is staring into the abyss right now. I’m not able to save the whole thing on my own, but I decided to do a series of livestream shows to raise money for specific independent venues that I know and love, and that are at serious risk of disappearing right now. The success of these shows demonstrated the love that exists between music fans and their favourite grassroots music venues so the #saveourvenues campaign is a brilliant way of building on that and hopefully giving artists and music fans a chance to get involved and play a big part in helping them survive.”

One venue rescued from closure by Frank Turner’s recent efforts is the Tunbridge Wells Forum. Co-founder Jason Dormon said, “Frank Turner has always championed the grassroots sector, having grown up and learned his craft in these venues. His generosity and commitment are truly admirable;  he inspires live music fans to come together and unite in raising awareness and funds for the UK's grassroots music venues. We were totally overwhelmed and heartened by Frank’s help and the support and generosity of the local community.”

Music fans are encouraged to show their support by engaging with the #saveourvenues shows and donating to their local venue’s crowdfunding pages but can also choose to donate directly to the main #saveourvenues fund via the campaign website.

The wider music industry is also being encouraged to donate to the main #saveourvenues fund and those wishing to donate in excess of £1,000 are asked to contact Music Venue Trust founder and CEO Mark Davyd directly on mark@musicvenuetrust.co.uk

Mark Davyd said, “Frank Turner’s amazing initiative proved that together artists and music fans can go a long way to helping at-risk grassroots music venues get through this period of lockdown. We are building on his good work with the #saveourvenues campaign and are confident that we can help create real momentum that will see artists and venues working together to raise much-needed funds. We are also calling on the wider music industry to support us too. We have received some magnificent support so far from music companies, but we need a lot more to step up and help save this essential part of the music ecosystem. We cannot stress enough how critical it is that the music industry supports the #saveourvenues campaign as without them over 500 of the UK’s grassroots music venues could go out of business, never to return, in the coming months. Please help us.”

UK Music briefed Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee members in advance of their oral evidence session with the Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden. Select Committee member Kevin Brennan MP used UK Music and MU research to raise the gaps in the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) in our sector. Steve Brine MP also raised the immediate hardship people in the creative sector are facing, and the need for support to bridge the gap until June. Tom Kiehl welcomed the efforts of the committee here. You can watch the session here.

Issues with access to SEISS for many in our sector was also highlighted to the Business Secretary Alok Sharma by Anna McMorrin MP at the Treasury Select Committee oral evidence session. It was also put to the Government by the Earl of Clancarty in a question in the House of Lords (here).

UK Music also briefed members on the House of Lords on ongoing issues. Vice-Chair of the APPG on Music Lord Tim Clement-Jones contributed to a question in the Lords highlighting that the music sector and particularly the live music sector is being adversely affected by COVID-19 and the support needed, with emphasis on the post-lockdown support package that is needed (here).

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford has published a framework to help lead Wales out of COVID-19 lockdown.

The framework has three pillars;

1. Measures and evidence on which the infection level and transmission rates will be judged - Factors considered include a sustained decrease in key metrics, evidence that the health service will cope, assurances on PPE, and international comparisons.
2. Principles by which they will examine proposed measures to ease restrictions (based on scientific evidence and economy/social impacts) - Options for lifting lockdown will be considered on their ability to provide evidence as to the extent their adoption will have a negative effect on containing the virus, its ability to be enforced or withdrawn if necessary, and it’s economic/social benefit.
3. A plan for enhancing public health surveillance and response system to track cases.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) invites you to take part in a survey being conducted to understand the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak on organisations in the digital, creative, culture, media, sport, gambling, telecoms, and tourism sectors and their engagement with the available government interventions.

This survey has been commissioned by DCMS to better understand the needs of its stakeholders. Your answers will remain anonymous and will be used to inform DCMS’ preparedness efforts

They encourage organisations in the digital, creative, culture, media, sport, gambling, telecoms, and tourism sectors to respond. The survey should take around 10-20 minutes. The deadline for responses to the survey will be at 23:59 GMT on 15/05/2020.

To start the survey CLICK HERE

As part of the government’s coronavirus business support package, the UK government has distributed £12.3 billion to local authorities in England.

As of 19 April 2020, £6 billion has been paid out to 484,166 business properties, approximately half of the grant funding allocated (48.65%).

The Small Business Grants Fund is a £10,000 grant per eligible business, originally announced at Budget. Businesses included in this scheme are those which on 11 March were eligible for relief under the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme (including those with a rateable value between £12,000 and £15,000 which receive tapered relief) or the Rural Rate Relief Scheme.

The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund was announced by the Chancellor on 17 March. Businesses in scope will be those that were eligible on 11 March for a discount under the Expanded Retail Discount scheme and with a rateable value of less than £51,000:

• eligible businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000
• eligible businesses with a property that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000

Grants will be provided in respect of each property (hereditament); therefore, businesses with multiple outlets would receive more than one grant and may receive grants from separate local authorities.

Government has launched a new ‘support finder’ tool that they say will help businesses and self-employed people across the UK to quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.

UK Music has urged the government to urgently plug the "alarming gaps" in its support package for the self-employed during the COVID-19 crisis. The cross-sector music industry organisation highlights two groups in particular - company directors and the recently self-employed - who are not currently covered by any government support schemes.

The Events Industry Board (EIB), the government’s advisory body to help improve and promote the UK’s Events sector held a conference call with Nigel Huddleston, the Minister for Sport, Tourism & Heritage on the 30^th March, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and to start considering a recovery plan

The Minister acknowledged that COVID-19 presented the industry with significant challenges including the impact on a large number of jobs and the industry’s supply chain. The Minister also recognised the potential of the events industry and said it was an important part of the UK’s future.   

Members advised that the government would need to work early and closely with the events industry on when it plans to loosen or lift social distancing/mass gathering restrictions. Members felt that the events industry would likely be one of the last activities to return to business as usual.

The challenges of a potential bottle-neck of events in the third and especially the final quarter of 2020 were discussed. During this period, it was probable that there may be more events to schedule than there are available, appropriate venues to accommodate these events or capacity and cash flow in the supply chain to deliver them.

The industry stressed that it relied on a healthy supply chain and reported these businesses were under severe pressure due to lack of liquidity and said that many might not survive.

Members recommended that the government create clear guidance for event venues that could be used to reassure consumers; they also recommended that the government develop clear, positive messages for domestic and international audiences, that the UK is safe and there were clear public health guidance for event venues/mass gatherings

It was felt that as nations lifted restrictions, global competition would be fierce and there was a risk of losing major events to other countries who might be better prepared to return to business after the crisis.  Members were also keen for VisitBritain to be funded so that it could promote the UK in market. Members said it is likely that in the initial phases of recovery, the domestic market would offer the biggest opportunities to generate events. It was also critical for the events industry and government to prioritise a list of major events that support key UK sectors/bring in considerable trade and investment and which the UK does not want to lose to international competition.

In reviewing an initial briefing paper on recovery initiatives, Members asked the government to consider a range of other options in support of the events industry including tax relief policies and funding measures to ensure that the UK does not lose its market share after the crisis.

Michael Hirst OBE, Chairman of the EIB said, “This was a most constructive meeting. The Minister is fully engaged with the Industry’s issues and agenda and recognises how important the Industry will be for the Nation’s recovery. The Board has identified a number of concerns around present support and is fast developing a bold and ambitious plan for the Industry’s eventual recovery. The Board will do all it can to offer positive guidance to government as to how best to secure the industry’s future”.

The Board will meet again on the 14^th May.