Venues in the UK are preparing to open their doors again.
Dave Simpson writes for The Guardian on how venues in the UK are preparing to open their doors again.
Following the #LetTheMusicPlay campaign, backed by 1,500 stars ranging from Sir Paul McCartney to Dua Lipa, that called for the government to rescue live music, finally, on 5 July, the government announced a £1.57bn rescue package for the entire arts sector.
An initial £2.25m was later distributed to 150 grassroots venues at imminent risk (MVT had asked for a £50m fund) and yesterday, Arts Council England announced a grants programme to distribute further funds from the overall pot, including for music venues.
In mid-July the government announced that indoor gigs could resume on 1 August, with strict social distancing, but that decision has now been reversed.
Amid the mixed messages and constantly changing plans from government, Dave Simpson asked a variety of venues how they’ve been coping, and what they need to bring the music back.