London’s Southbank Centre has called for “urgent” government support as it faces a circa £5m loss for 2020/21 due to Covid-19.
The organsiation said it was at risk of being closed until at least April 2021 as to reopen on a restricted capacity to adhere to social distancing requirements would mean losing more money than it would generate.
Some staff will be made redundant and the organisation could cease to be a going concern before the end of the year without more support, the Southbank Centre said.
However, it is still considering broadcasting concerts from behind closed-doors through autumn 2020 and spring 2021.
The closure of the centre, which puts on around 3,500 events per year, on 17 March due to the outbreak of Covid-19 has led to a loss of 60% of its income, the organsiation said.
The remainder of its annual grant from Arts Council England, which accounts for 37% of its income, will be needed to mothball its buildings, while around £4m from the government’s furlough scheme will be required.
The Southbank Centre is also calling on the government to extend the furlough scheme for the cultural sector beyond October and for a large-scale intervention to help the sector navigate the crisis.
It also wants the government to support self-employed artists and musicians who currently do not qualify for other schemes.
Elaine Bedell, chief executive of the Southbank Centre, said: “We know we are not alone in this and stand with our friends, partners, and colleagues – both here in the UK and abroad – during this time of unprecedented challenge.
“With eight orchestras, the National Poetry Library and Arts Council Collection all calling us home, and playing host to over 4.45m visitors each year, we are doing all we can to safeguard the Southbank Centre we currently know and love for the years ahead.
“However, this crisis has hit hard, and we join a number of other organisations and venues in sounding the alarm about the long-term health of UK arts and culture.”
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