The Coronavirus pandemic left over 130 music venues in major risk of closing. In a positive step for the live music industry, the government has issued a £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund nationwide to save arts venues across the UK.
Popular venues such as The Troubadour and The Clapham Grand of London are in the company of many venues that have found themselves at risk in the wake of the UK lockdown, which has devastated businesses everywhere. The fund has been launched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in response to the plight of several creative industries.
Many venues that qualify have been awarded grants to help in their recovery while the UK begins to take the early steps in the government’s roadmap to rebuild. The Clapham Grand, a widely renowned venue in London, recently held their first socially distanced show since before Lockdown and many venues across the country are gearing up to make their debut return to live gigs and performances.
“This government is here for culture and these grants today show we are determined to help our exceptional music industry weather the Covid storm and come back stronger.”
Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary
Grants of a maximum of £80,000 have been issued by The Arts Council England in order to help vulnerable venues keep going. Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, expressed his support for the government’s initiatives, saying, “This government is here for culture and these grants today show we are determined to help our exceptional music industry weather the Covid storm and come back stronger.” Grassroots music venues are the bricks and mortar of the music industry, shaping the music legends of the future and bringing new and innovative artists to the forefront. Dowden explains how this funding will help “ensure these music venues survive to create the Adeles and Ed Sheerans of the future.”
Mark Davyd, from Music Venue Trust, explains that the Culture Recovery Fund will “ensure that the short term future of these venues is secured while we continue to work on how we can ensure their long term sustainability.” Across the country, venues have been saved from very nearly closing. Venues such as Deaf Institute and Gorilla in Manchester, famed for it’s live music scene, have benefitted from government grants. View the full list of recipients here.