BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF CONCERT HALLS WELCOMES GOVERNMENT’S PACKAGE OF FUNDING FOR THE ARTS AS IT AWAITS CLARIFICATION OF IMPACT ON UK VENUES
The British Association of Concert Halls today welcomed the government’s funding announcement for the arts while it awaits clarification on the impact this funding will have on its more than 40 member venues.
These venues play a vital role in the country’s economy and as hubs for their local communities. In 2017/18 BACH members presented over 21,000 musical performances, sold nearly 7 million tickets and generated ticket income of £144 million.
Kevin Appleby [pictured], Chair, British Association of Concert Halls said:
“The government’s commitment of over a billion pounds in grants and loans across the UK is to be welcomed. This is a significant boost to getting the cultural sector back to generating £32.3 billion a year for the UK’s economy. We await more details of details of how this money will be made available and whether it will ensure the survival of music venues that play such crucial roles in their communities. With no timeline for reopening, and while social distancing rules remain in place none of BACH’s members will be able to open their doors and start to generate the income needed to make them viable again.’
The subject of social distancing is a crucial factor for all live entertainment venues as the economic model for concert promotion operates on slender financial margins that do not hold up under reduced seating capacity scenarios.