Music Venue Trust respond to UK government's latest coronavirus restrictions

Yesterday (23 November), the UK government announced the COVID-19 Winter Plan, which features a revised version of the tier system, which will be enforced regionally when England comes out of lockdown on 2 December.

Music Venue Trust, who have been relentlessly campaigning to save the UK's grassroots music venues at risk during the pandemic, have shared their response on Twitter, urging the government to reconsider some of the restrictions. One of those restrictions is the sale of alcohol at tier two venues, which is only permitted if served with a "substantial meal". Music Venue Trust wrote, "MVT has repeatedly detailed to HM Government that income within the grassroots sector derives 65% from wet sales and 35% from ticket sales. It is not possible to deliver an economically viable event in this sector without the financial support provided by alcohol sales. 92% of grassroots music venues do not have the necessary facilities to provide substantial food."

It is not possible to deliver an economically viable event in this sector without the financial support provided by alcohol sales. 92% of grassroots music venues do not have the necessary facilities to provide substantial food.

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) November 23, 2020

Their statement continued, "It is to be welcomed that the Government's intention is that live music can resume where it can be safely delivered. The Government can deliver on this ambition by identifying the purchase of a ticket as having equivalent intention by the consumer to the purchase of a meal. The consumption of Food and the consumption of Culture as the main purpose of an individual's behaviour could, and should, be treated equally. Failure to reach equivalency between food and culture on this issue results in a distorted market."

The consumption of Food and the consumption of Culture as the main purpose of an individual's behaviour could, and should, be treated equally. Failure to reach equivalency between food and culture on this issue results in a distorted market

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) November 23, 2020

Music Venue Trust pointed out one of the examples where the government's plans fall short, "In this distorted market, an individual can choose to attend a restaurant, consuming as much alcohol as they wish, prior to a gig, but upon arrival at the event cannot consume any alcohol at all. This is an inconsistent and illogical approach."

When wrapping up their response, Music Venue Trust wrote, "We believe consistency within the restrictions is the most likely route by which the public will understand and comply with them. We therefore strongly encourage the government to think again on the specifics of Tier 2 restrictions in relation to ticketed cultural events."

We believe consistency within the restrictions is the most likely route by which the public will understand and comply with them. We therefore strongly encourage the government to think again on the specifics of Tier 2 restrictions in relation to ticketed cultural events. pic.twitter.com/Bt0SwpFuPz

— Music Venue Trust (@musicvenuetrust) November 23, 2020