Will events and attractions be forced to close?

Event organisers around the county say they are pushing ahead with plans as normal despite the coronavirus outbreak - but are ready to alter their plans upon advice from the government.

However, more are admitting they are drafting up contingency plans as health fears continue to rise.

It comes as efforts to slow the spread of the virus were discussed by a special emergency Cobra meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Among the key topics likely to be discussed are whether to limit large public gatherings, encourage more people to work from home, or even close schools temporarily.

However, it seems inevitable that the impact will hit many businesses in Kent.

Andrew Tate works for business advisors Kreston Reeves, with offices in Canterbury and Medway. He believes the effects will be widespread for the county.

He said: “Tourism is going to be down as people are not going to want to travel and put themselves at risk.

Businesses in Kent could be left devastated by the spread of the coronavirus

“In addition, businesses are going to see their turnover reduce as consumer activity is going to slowdown and that will have an impact on everybody.”

Deirdre Wells is chief executive of Visit Kent - the county’s tourism agency which allows the sector to generate some £3.8bn for the county and supports 70,000 jobs.

She says, for now at least, it’s business as usual - although it has already faced some setbacks.

“There is a ban on outbound travel for school children from France and Italy,” she explains, “and obviously a lot of our attractions in Kent have a significant business with school groups, so that was a bit of a hit.

“The Chinese market has also taken a hit.

“But we’ve sort of been here before - we’ve had foot and mouth and SARs; this is not unprecedented. The industry is pretty resilient and tends to be able to bounce back once these things die down.

“What’s difficult is everyone was really hoping this was going to be the year we could really bounce back after the uncertainty of last year. So there’s no doubt it’s challenging for businesses.

“The strong advice is to go about our normal business and that people heed that.

“It’s vital for our businesses to get as much business as they can, while they can.”

And she confirmed the Kent Big Weekend in April - the annual day where thousands of free tickets are distributed to people in the county to experience the tourist attractions on their doorsteps will be going ahead.

She adds: “I hope that will be a great opportunity send a signal that the county is still open.

“It would be great to say it’s all going ahead, but we don’t know that as it’s all something of a moving feast, but if in the unlikely event we have to postpone the tickets will be honoured for another day.

“But inevitably there will be some challenges.”

Talks have also been taking place between Premier League officials and broadcasters should a decision be taken to play matches behind closed doors.

Also at risk are the likes of the London Marathon - which if postponed or cancelled could put a huge dent in the pocket of many charities which rely on the income from runners raising money for good causes.

Kent County Cricket Club says, so far, it has seen no negative knock-on impact over the virus on its valuable hospitality offering - the county championship season is due to start next month.

Explains marketing executive Liam Knight: “We’ve not had any direct impact on bookings nor have we been asked the question by customers as yet.

“Of course, it may get worse and we’ll have to see what happens but we’ve seen nothing yet. We’re in a place where our busiest time - when the T20 starts at the end of May - is still a long way away.”

It will be hoping the situation is controlled by the summer when it has a number of major outdoor events planned - notably by acts such as Westlife and Little Mix in July.

But for most, at the moment, the plan is to take a “wait and see” approach.

One key sector doing just that is music festivals. A spokesman for

the Black Deer Festival, which is due to take place in Eridge Park, near Tunbridge Wells from June 19-21 this summer said: “We’re taking the advice of medical professionals so for now everything is going ahead as planned until we’re advised otherwise. But we’re not getting too worried as of yet.

“We’ll see what’s going on with other festivals before ours and that will be a trial to see how it goes.

“Coachella is in a couple of months so that will be a big one for all festivals.”

However, pressure is growing on the organisers of Coachella, a huge music festival which takes place in California, to call it off amid the outbreak. In a challenge expected to be faced by many, however, the high cost of any such move will be weighing heavily on the minds of all involved.

The team behind the Glastonbury Festival, due to be headlined by the likes of Paul McCartney and Diana Ross at the end of June, have already said they are pushing ahead with plans but are alert to any government advice.

Dreamland in Margate is taking a similar approach. A spokesperson said: “There are no plans to cancel any of our events, and it will be business as usual when we reopen for the Easter season on April 4. We are monitoring the situation closely, and will take advice if anything changes.”

The Aspinall Foundation, which runs the Howletts Wildlife Park, near Canterbury, and Port Lympne, near Hythe, says it too is closely monitoring government advice.

A spokesman said: “We would like to assure all visitors to our parks that the health and safety of our guests and employees is our top priority, along with our animals as usual.

“Both Port Lympne and Howletts are operating as normal. We are continuing to monitor the daily updates and recommendations from the government and will where necessary, consider any advice issued on our day to day operating activities.”

In May, Business Vision Live is due to take place at the Kent Event Centre in Detling - one of the most popular events on the business calendar, with 3,000 delegates attending to hear from guest speakers and to network.

The team behind that, Pembury-based Revolution Events, say it is expecting to go ahead as normal - but are alert to last minute changes.

Lydia Masonbury, marketing director said: “We’re being asked questions and we’re trying to be guided by the government but we’re looking to be as much ‘business as usual’.

“If we have to postpone it that would be our first option rather than cancel it altogether.

“But we don’t get a huge international attendance so at this point it’s pretty low risk and we’re pushing ahead as normal and see how things pan out.”

The same goes for Dover’s popular annual Holiday & Leisure

Show. It takes place on Sunday at the County Showground in Detling.

However, with its goal to be highlighting tourism within and outside the county, the chances are attendance may be hit as many re-evaluate their travel plans.

Saga, one of the county’s biggest employers, headquartered in Folkestone, last week confirmed it had seen a spate of cancellations for its over-50s holidays and cruises - a move which could have potentially huge ramifications after it shelled out £600million on two new cruise ships.

The economic impact on the county seems, inevitably, set to be significant.

Port Lympne insists it is business as usual

Deirdre Wells is chief executive of Visit Kent