“It is with great sadness that the Southbank Centre announced today that up to 400 roles have been put at risk of redundancy as part of a comprehensive management action plan designed to stem the financial losses being incurred as a result of COVID-19, and to help safeguard the future of the UK’s largest arts centre.
“The Southbank Centre’s seated venues are likely to remain closed until at least April 2021 due to social distancing and as a result many staff now have no work. The Southbank Centre must implement measures to reduce its cost base and to develop new ways of operating and delivering its artistic programme when it is finally able to reopen.
“Roles at all levels of the organisation will be affected and a 45-day consultation period begins on 15 July.”
I ask from ignorance so would appreciate an authoritative reply: if cinemas can open, orchestras play observing social distance, other concert halls (especially in Europe) give concerts to socially spaced audiences, why not the RFH and/or the QEH?