Amid the global #WeMakeEvents campaign on Wednesday, Cumbria’s event professionals have spoken out once again about the need for more public sector support.

The #WeMakeEvents is a global movement to highlight the live events sector which is in urgent need of support from local governments to survive the Covid-19 crisis. The movement is also the champion for all people who live and breathe events, creating importance awareness of the issues.

The majority of the industry has had no income since the beginning of the crisis in March, and with a global second Covid-19 wave imminent, a date to return to work has become impossible to predict, leaving many companies and individuals devastated, both financially and personally.

Entertainment events around the world have been devastated, from major festivals, tours and landmark theatres, to grassroots venues and business events. The industry is calling for immediate tailored support from national governments, the entire supply chain is at risk of collapse.

The industry is asking for a range of different recovery actions such as; Government backed Covid-19 insurance schemes, Government support for widespread proactive Covid-19 testing for event attendees and grants made available to businesses in the events supply chain.

Thomas Smith, director of the Innova Collective, said: “The live events industry is currently on a cliff edge, with little scope for any sort of come back in the next 6 months at least. The thousands of skilled and highly trained specialised workers who make this multi-billion-pound industry tick need immediate support as there is no possibility of even a partial return to work for the foreseeable future.

“It is vital that the infrastructure around British culture gets help now, otherwise it is inevitable that the future of events, shows, conferences, festivals and concerts will be shadows of their former selves. From the thousands of tiny micro-festivals like ours, to huge festivals, the scale of the talented teams involved never ceases to amaze me. To lose that would be a tragedy.”

Oliver Hodgson, managing director of Gosforth-based Platinum Live, said: “We are here again to spread awareness of the immediate threat to the future of the events industry. This isn’t just about the major events it is also about the small venues, smaller regional festivals and local concerts. The industry was the first to close and will be the last to fully reopen.

“So many people are involved in the making of an event from your event managers, production managers, technical crews, roadies and so on… these people need support.”