'Devastating' local lockdown 'knocked us for six' says Halifax music venue owner

Michael Ainsworth owner of the Grayston Unity, in Wesley Court, said the coronavirus pandemic has had a 'devastating' domino effect on the music industry from top to bottom.

Mr Ainsworth has been able to hold socially distant live music gigs every Sunday throughout lockdown to the rear of his venue, but will be unable to do so as the gloomier months of autumn and winter approach.

He said: "Since we reopened in July, we've been able to play live music every Sunday outside.

"I've only three acts booked until the end of September, and then due to the colder weather I wouldn't be able to hold anymore social distant music events.

"The challenge will be to keep to the venue financially viable until March, which will be hard but I'm confident I can do it."

On July 30, Calderdale was forced into a local Covid-19 lockdown after a decision was made by Government, due to rising virus cases within the borough.

"Going into local lockdown knocked us for six," said Mr Ainsworth.

"As soon as that happened, the public stopped going to pubs, bars and restaurants again.

"Spring and especially summer are our key months for business, which helps us financially carry ourselves through the colder months.

"But we lost out on our busiest part of the year."

In response, the Music Venue Trust (MVT) launched the #saveourvenues campaign in April, raising more than £2 million in donations.

The cash removed 207 grassroots music venues from its ‘critical’ list.

"We're a member of the Trust alliance and it's great to see the work its been doing during the pandemic," said Mr Ainsworth.

"However, it's more than about grassroot music venues, the coronavirus has been devastating to the entire industry.

"Without small and larger music venues, artists cannot play.

"There's a knock on effect for venue technicians who can't get work, as well as designers and merchandisers.

"On the larger scale, hospitality has suffered because the music industry stopped in its tracks.

"Alcohol is a massive pull for people at gigs, so breweries have taken a huge hit too.

"Artists and performers starting out, such as the The Orielles from Calderdale, were supposed to tour, but haven't been able to.

With social distancing in place it’s not financially viable for many small venues to open.

Also to aid music venues, the DCMS (Dept for Culture Sport and Media) funding packages have been distributed by Arts Council England, but there are calls for it to reach more diverse venues.

Mr Ainsworth said the 'one size fits all approach' could leave many smaller venues closed with no support, and in turn 'no future'.

He said: "There needs to be a fair distribution from the Arts Council England across all venues, not just larger ones."

Mark Davyd, founder and CEO of MVT said “The campaign to #saveourvenues is going to continue until we can be sure we can Reopen Every Venue Safely.

"We're going to be announcing a series of great initiatives and ideas to give people the chance to support their local grassroots music venue with merchandise, special events and prize draw opportunities.

"The T-shirt is a great design and we just wanted to give people the chance to own a shirt with a purpose.”

The Music Venue Trust has spent the summer hosting webinars, provided guidance to small venues, and successfully lobbied for emergency government funding as well as a Cultural Recovery fund going into 2021.

The Trust have provided backup plans such as setting up individual Save Our Venues crowdfunding pages and organising the Passport: Back To Our Roots scheme which aims to support any venues falling through the gaps.

One of the gigs for the Passport: Back to Our Roots will be at Trades Club, in Hebden Bridge.

The Save Our Venues campaign website is www.saveourvenues.co.uk