Step 4 of the Covid-19 Roadmap delayed in England

The PM has announced a 4 week delay (19th July) to the implementation of step 4 of the Covid-19 roadmap in England. For our members, who are part of the festival & events eco-system, the effect could be devastating as another lost season looms.

With reduced capacities, bricks & mortar businesses are continuing to struggle, for mobile and street food businesses, this delay continues to highlight why changes in street trading licensing are needed immediately. Not to mention the Night Time Economy, which has been largely closed for over a year now!

The UK’s festival and event sectors are looking at £500m (source – LIVE) in losses. Hospitality is already struggling with major labour shortages and delays will only knock confidence in the viability of the sector. The hospitality and event sectors have been the most impacted and least supported by Government throughout the pandemic. National & Local Government must act swiftly and decisively to support the tens of thousands of affected businesses.

There are tens of thousands of businesses involved in the festival industry who are going to suffer huge losses. A festival catering business can’t survive on at best a 1/3 of its annual income and with little to no help from the Government and no mention so far of support – the ARG grants for those without fixed premises won’t work to support these businesses and so that must be addressed.

NCASS is calling on the government to publish the results of the Events Research Programme, to provide immediate financial support to affected businesses and provide a clear way forward.

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