Several key venues in London have been denied government funding from the Culture Recovery Fund. Among those include Printworks, The Pickle Factory, Egg London, Exhibition, The Drumsheds, Depot Mayfield, Studio 338, and Oval Space. The Culture Recovery Fund offered a total of £500 million in financial aid for cultural organizations based in England which face imminent risk of failure as a result of COVID-19.
The lack of funding has come as a shock to both the venues and nightlife players, who have expressed their disappointment and dismay at not receiving financial support. The Night Time Industries Association shared those sentiments, the CEO Michael Kill stating,
“We have been aware all along that the fund would not be able to support everyone, and will leave many businesses who have missed out on this opportunity awaiting on a perilous cliff edge, but given the significance of some of the businesses that have been left out, we are concerned with regard to eligibility and fair consideration around the types of businesses and the criteria they have been measured against.”
With movers-and-shakers like Studio 338 representing the most successful and influential nightclubs in London, the decision has left the future of platforms and communities that represent cultural and economic significance in uncertainty. Superstar Calvin Harris also echoed his frustration at the UK government’s relief approach to the struggling industry.
H/T: Mixmag
Featured image: Printworks London/Twitter
