Venues turn red for events and entertainment industry

Entertainment and event professionals across the UK organised community action events this week, in a bid to get Number Ten to provide more support for the industry.

Following major losses due to the coronavirus crisis, the #WeMakeEvents campaign strives to provide the industry with grants for businesses, and an extension of the furlough and self employed income support schemes.

Nineteen trade and industry bodies, including audio, lighting and video equipment manufacturers, production companies and freelancers, joined forces in the campaign.

Calderdale venues and entertainment businesses showed their support and illuminated their premises red.

Calrec Audio in Hebden Bridge, one of the borough's largest employers, lit up their HQ at Nutclough Mill.

General Manager Sid Stanley said: “All our customers have been affected by the impact of Covid-19 and without immediate support, the entire supply chain is at risk of collapse; that means venues, freelancers, systems integrators, broadcasters, talent, production companies and others, including suppliers and manufacturers.

“This has affected our customers in every territory, and the impact on live events like sports and entertainment has been devastating. In the UK alone there are over 1,000,000 people employed in delivering events, 72% of whom are freelance, and many of which have no access to any financial support. This affects us all, and as the biggest employer in Hebden Bridge it could have an impact on local people in the Calder Valley too.”

Aysa Illingworth-Goldthorpe, Todmorden Hippodrome volunteer, added: “At the Hippodrome in Todmorden we’re joining the Light It In Red campaign to shine a light on the crisis within the whole events industry, not just theatre.

“This crisis is affecting every area of the events industry and we want everyone in the Calder Valley to be aware that this is affecting people who live in the area and support many of their local community venues and events.”

The industry is also calling upon the community to show their support by writing to their local MPs.

Chris Baldock, Publicity Manager & Company Director at Halifax Playhouse said: “The volunteer-run Halifax Playhouse is funded by ticket sales and has been closed since March. As well as loss of income, this has impacted our inhouse shows, those of our local community hirers and the wide range of professional shows we host. Non-professional theatres like ours are still being discriminated as the limited Government support is given to professional theatres.

“We've been lobbying our local MPs and we're also members of the Little Theatre Guild which is made up of owners of over 100 amateur run theatres, and they have been campaigning nationally.”

Residents can get involved by writing to your local MP. For letter templates and more information visit: https://www.plasa.org/we-make-events/