GUIDANCE CHANGED TO ALLOW CLASSIC SHOWS

UK opens up to small and medium-sized outdoor car events – and venues are already taking advantage of the latest rules

New guidelines on how venues can hold events are allowing some classic shows to get underway for the first time since March – and classic fans are already planning new shows.

New guidance from the government’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) department allows gatherings of more than 30 people to take place provided its ‘COVID-19 Secure’ guidelines are met.

These state: ‘Businesses and venues following COVID-19 Secure guidelines can host larger groups. This is also the case for events in public outdoor spaces that are organised by businesses, charitable or political organisations and public bodies, provided they take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk of transmission, in line with COVID-19 Secure guidance and including completion of a risk assessment.’

The Jaguar Breakfast Club quickly took advantage of the new rules, scheduling its first postlockdown gathering on 12 July at the British Motor Museum.

Organiser and chairman, Peter Simpson, told CCW that he was able to quickly rally members at short notice through social media. He said: ‘This meet is a joyous extra and put on as soon as legal. 100 cars showed up to the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, organised via the club’s web page and Facebook profile.

‘I only stumbled across the legislation by accident. The museum is the host and overseeing the event – I just pushed them to hold it.’ The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu also decided to re-plan its ‘Simply’ series of events this year based on the DCMS guidance. It capped the number of visitors at a maximum of 500 in order to manage social distancing requirements stated by DCMS, and reported to Visit England in order to obtain its ‘ We’re Good To Go’ event accreditation, as awarded to both the British Motor Museum and the Lakeland Motor Museum.

Beaulieu’s marketing manager,

Richard Morgan, said: ‘The site has a capacity of 1000 as a whole, while the museum itself has a capacity of 500 – that’s why we have limited the Simply events to 500, and why we had to cancel larger events like the International Autojumble.’

The Jaguar Breakfast Club rallied 100 cars to the BMM on 12 July with three days’ notice. Larger classic outdoor events at museums can now go ahead, provide classic event holders liaise with their hosts and meet updated government guidelines.