London Mayor Sadiq Khan announces emergency fund to help grassroots venues in UK capital

30 April 2020, 13:09 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched an emergency £2.3million fund to help creative industries in the capital, including grassroots music venues that are at risk of permanent closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Khan announced the emergency fund this morning (30 April), and will see him work with Music Venue Trust, the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, the Creative Land Trust and BFI to help secure the future of venues throughout the capital.

£450,000 of that emergency fund will be donated to the Music Venue Trust #saveourvenues campaign that was launched earlier this week, and will hopefully support up to 147 grassroots music venues in London.

£225,000 will be used to support up to 56 LGBTQ+ venues in partnership with the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, £1.5m set aside for the Creative Land Trust to support thousands of tenants across 200 artist studios workspaces, and the last £150,000 will be going to the BFI to help up to 25 of London’s independent cinemas.

Khan says of the emergency fund, "The coronavirus outbreak is having a significant impact on every aspect of life in London, and that includes our culture, creative industries and night time economy. These industries are so important to the fabric of our city during the day and night, and they will play a key role in helping us to recover from this public health crisis. I’m pleased to be working together with the Music Venue Trust, the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, the Creative Land Trust and the BFI to offer this emergency funding to those areas most at need, but we need the Government to step forward and provide the comprehensive support this industry needs to protect its future."

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries adds, "Culture is part of London’s DNA. It is the reason many of us choose to live here and why so many visit each year. It inspires and entertains, and boosts our economy day and night by billions each year. But now more than ever our world-renowned grassroots music venues, LGBTQ+ venues, cinemas and artists need support. They are facing a huge challenge to maintain their existences, and through this fund we will do all we can to support them through these challenging times."

Read Sadiq Khan's full plans on london.gov.uk. Donate to the #saveourvenues campaign at saveourvenues.co.uk.