Live events ‘at risk of permanent lockdown’
GOVERNMENT IS URGED TO ACT TO PROTECT 1,500 WICKLOW JOBS
THE LIVE events sector is ‘at risk of permanent lockdown’ if the Government fails to plan ahead, according to two local politicians.
It’s believed that 1,500 people in Co Wicklow work in the sector and Deputy Jennifer Whitmore and Cllr Jodie Neary from the Social Democrats are appealling to the Government to provide the necessary supports to keep it going throughout the pandemic.
Deputy Whitmore and Cllr Neary recently visited sound engineer John Vickers of Sound Design at the Network Enterprise Park in Kilcoole – one of nine businesses in the locality involved in the sector – and heard the perilous situation faced by those employed in the live events sector.
Deputy Whitmore said it was ‘an opportunity to see in person the difficult situation facing the live events industry since the lockdown. Not only are larger companies affected but individual light and sound engineers, graphic technicians and a whole array of creative technicians and professionals have been significantly hit by
the sector’s closure due to the pandemic.’
Deputy Whitmore said that while sector-targeted supports were put in place for other industries hit by the lockdown, they have been ‘completely lacking’ for those who provide the public with so much entertainment and culture.
‘ They need full cover by PUP and EWSS, grant funding but, crucially, they need help with overheads like commercial rent which, for many, is a financial burden they are unable to pay for much longer.
‘ This is particularly the case in Wicklow where a lot of these small companies are based. Without a roadmap for the sector, this could have huge implications for the county,
which continues to grow as a creative industry hub and which has potential for even more job creation in the sector.
Deputy Whitmore said she had recevied ‘ hundreds of emails’ from people crying out for ‘equal recognition’ for their struggles.
‘ They need parity of voice with other state-funded sectors, which I hope will be provided for in the new Government Task Force,’ she said.
Cllr Neary said the visit to Sound Design had opened her eyes to ‘the many different types of employment the live events sector provides’ and how many local jobs are tied up with the industry. She said there was ‘ huge potential’ in the sector and many local businesses propping up the live events sector.
‘Sadly, it is a sector that has fallen on its knees not just by the pandemic but by the inadequate response from Government to date. The sector has the disadvantage now that months have gone by without any sector-specific plan.
‘Professionals have been largely overlooked by the national response to Covid-19 and, if nothing is done to reopen the sector in a safe and viable manner, then we could face many job losses in the local area and across Wicklow.
‘I hope the new Task Force will consider the voices within the industry and address the needs of the sector, including greater availability of funding and supports for overheads,’ said Cllr Neary.