Our venues are in desperate need ... here’s how to help

They’re the places we go to laugh, dance, listen and learn about the world. And they face a crisis, the like of which many have not seen before. Countless theatres, concert halls and other arts venues across Britain are in dire financial difficulty. And if they are forced to close, we will all lose out.

That’s why we are proud to be running major campaign The Show Must Go On. We know how important these places are to our villages, towns and cities. We know what they mean to so many of you - the memories they stir, the creativity they inspire, the financial support they provide to our businesses and workers.

The government recently announced it is spending £1.57 billion to support the industry. But as vast as that sum may sound, it is unlikely to be enough.

And with so much of the arts world focused on London, there is a danger that swathes of the country will be overlooked.

We want to make sure our venues get the help they need - wherever they are.

Our campaign aims to make sure the needs of our venues and the people who depend on them get heard - and they get the help they need and deserve.

That includes getting the message across loud and clear to our politicians and all who have the power to make a big difference.

But it also involves looking at what we can all do to try and make sure that these venues survive.

And we want your stories and photos of your favourite venues too, so get in touch.

We are looking at different aspects of our local arts scenes, this week focussing on live music venues.

The government is creating a £2.25 million emergency fund for grass roots music venues.

But campaigners are pleading for more clarity and information following the announcement.

Mark Davyd, founder and chief executive of the Music Venue Trust, said: “The announcement is very welcome and desperately needed. We will be working closely with grassroots music venues across the country to ensure that this money reaches those in need and has the largest impact. This interim solution will provide a short-term fix for those venues identified as being in crisis but we urgently need information and guidance on when and how venues can access the larger fund, which is so vital to safeguarding their longer-term futures.”

How you can help our venues in need

● Make a donation to your favourite local venue or, if you had tickets booked for a cancelled show, donate the money back instead of accepting a refund.

● Book for any shows your local venue has on sale for next year or if your local theatre offers vouchers, buy those instead.

● Support your local venue café or restaurant if it has reopened.

● Write to your local MP to tell them how important your local venue is to you.

● Share stories about venues on social media.

● If your favourite venue goes into administration, you could set up or join a campaign group, bringing together everyone in your area who cares about the venue.