The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has recently announced an emergency fund which will aim to support struggling queer venues in the UK’s capital during the coronavirus pandemic. Tara Pilkington looks at how this will safeguard vulnerable venues.
As the current Lockdown restrictions across the UK have forced theatres, bars and clubs throughout the country to temporarily close their doors, many small business owners have been left running on razor-thin margins without the necessary income needed from footfall and guests.
To help London’s vulnerable creative and cultural industries keep afloat during this period, The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan announced on Thursday 30 April 30 that he would be launching a £2.3 million ‘Culture at Risk Business’ Support Fund.
In partnership with the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, Khan confirmed that he will dedicate £225,000 of this fund towards supporting up to 56 LGBT+ venues.
The remainder of this fund will be split between the Music Venue Trust, which is supporting grassroots music venues; the Creative Land Trust, which supports tenants of artists’ studios; and the BFI, protecting independent cinemas.
In a statement, Khan commented that queer venues are vital to the fabric of the city, and added: “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.”
