Shropshire Chamber calls for urgent support for the events industry
Shropshire Chamber of Commerce has joined the call to provide urgent support for the events industry.
It is backing the sector’s plea for immediate government intervention, and appealing to local businesses to join the #WeMakeEvents campaign which is gathering momentum on social media.
Policy officer, Fergus Hamilton-Collard, said the coronavirus pandemic had decimated an industry which employs around 600,000 people in the UK and which contributes over £70 billion to the economy each year.
“With an uncertain future ahead, and the Prime Minister suggesting that many restrictions may stay in place for the next six months, it is vital that the chamber network supports a campaign to help save this vital sector,” he said.
The pandemic has devastated the events industry, with theatres, festivals and grassroots venues all under threat.
The majority of live events have been unable to take place since lockdown was called in the UK on March 23, meaning over six months of hardship for those working in the sector to date.
Across the world, individuals, businesses and organisations have all been facing similar issues, with millions losing income as a result of the pandemic.
Industry leaders have said that the events sector is now on "red alert", with an absence of support meaning the entire supply chain is at risk of collapsing.
The new movement – #WeMakeEvents – has sprung up to advocate for the industry and demand immediate support from local governments to save them from eradication.
Struggle
Fergus said Shropshire Chamber was supporting the call from neighbouring chambers for a raft of support actions, including an urgent review into the decision to postpone reopening the sector and whether it can operate safely under guidance approved by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Public Health England, based on industry pilots.
Also being called for is ongoing full access to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for businesses unable to operate due to government Covid-19 policy, grant and financial support catering for both large institutions and supply chain SMEs that can demonstrate significant financial distress, and tax reliefs across business rates, employment costs and other key costs.
“It is critical that the Government hears the calls coming from the chamber network and the business community today, because without immediate intervention the events industry may struggle to survive at all,” added Fergus.
To find out more about the campaign, see wemakeevents.com
