#WeMakeEvents Responds to Omicron Crisis, Calls for Government Intervention

In response to the challenges created by the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the UK arm of the group #WeMakeEvents is challenging for the government to provide additional aid.

In a statement, the organization says, "After reopening in July -- and following the worst period in the live event sector's history -- our industry was working incredibly hard to recover and made great progress. Whilst it was not plain sailing nor 100% recovered, theatres, gigs, and events proved their resilience, and many were looking forward to the boost of the traditionally strong December trading when most generate around a third of annual revenues."

Andy Dockerty, managing director of the Adlib Ltd., notes, "November business was 'pretty much back to normal' in terms of revenue, but the arrival of the Omicron variant and all the renewed uncertainty that it brings has set that recovery back overnight and the live events supply chain finds itself collapsing again with many businesses reporting cancellations of around a third of their bookings over the next quarter."

Since the outbreak of Omicron, many stage shows and concerts, faced with staff illnesses and absences, are canceling performances. Also, concert tours are being postponed or curtailed due to the current uncertainty. "In effect," the statement says, "this is lockdown by stealth and default across hospitality and live events, both sectors being closely linked by the high hospitality sales driven by live events."

#WeMakeEvents is calling on the national government and local councils to provide sector-specific support. The measures include distribution of remaining culture recovery funds monies and local authority grants, instant tax waivers for businesses, holidays on loan repayments, a government-provided "cancelation fund" that the industry can draw on in the absence of COVID insurance, and a support scheme to protect company employees and freelancer wages.

The statement adds, "The journey to recovery was far from over, even before Omicron, in that there is still a massive skills shortage from specialists leaving the industry over the past two years, and a mountain of debt to be repaid by individuals and businesses. Most companies only got the green light to return to work on July 19 following 16 months without income, and only received around 12% of the Culture Recovery Fund. And with huge numbers of freelancers missing out on any of the support packages, the sector is once again at a tipping point."