The National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA) has called on the UK Government and the industry to address issues across the sector, caused initially by the pandemic and exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis.
In a statement, the NOEA said that the “industry was still crawling its way into recovery” and that the increase in inflation combined with a potential recession was a concern.
The association is calling on businesses within the live entertainment sector to review pricing policies to be reasonable in the long term; negotiate fairly; do not over-promise on commitments to events and to behave with kindness and fairness.
The NOEA also said that it will be petitioning the Government to encourage liquidity and investment in the industry through an event sector-specific financial package. This will include a delay to payments of recovery debts, accrued during the pandemic, until summer 2024; the creation of new bounce back loans to support businesses through the winter; and the establishment of free ports for event industry businesses importing goods and materials into the UK.
“The cost of not addressing these issues will be an industry that stagnates from an investment and development perspective, but also one that will see more companies either going out of business or leaving the industry,” said the statement.
“At the same time, there is a very real risk that costs will continue to be passed onto consumers in the form of tickets prices, leading to a more expensive, and less inclusive, industry.
“This is an issue that both industry and Government need to address with the utmost urgency. If not, what the pandemic started, the cost-of-living crisis will finish as far as a safe and quality industry is concerned.”
The cost-of-living crisis is gripping the UK, with today’s announcement that energy costs are only continuing to rise. This is not only affecting households, but businesses too.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA)’s chief executive Michael Kill has said there needs to be action before jobs are lost and businesses go under.
“The announcement today from regulator OFGEM, which will see a consumer price cap increase, meaning bills will rise to an average of £3,549 ($4,200/€4,200) a year, but still not protection or support for businesses,” Kill said.
“Night time economy businesses are seeing up to 600% increase in energy bills, and up-to six month security deposit.. Not accounting for staff, PPL/PRS, insurance product and supplier cost increases. How arrogant of the current PM to suggest we weather the storm? When people across our sector are losing jobs and livelihoods.”
Image: Aranxa Esteve on Unsplash