Venue faces ‘fine balancing act’

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Many hospitality businesses were allowed to reopen on ‘Super Saturday’, but theatre and live music venues are among the institutions that must remain shut.

Jane said that there are still many ‘unknowns’ within the industry, but that its prospects are looking better with the cash boost.

She said: “It is a ray of hope in these uncertain times. Of course we do not know the detail, but the fact that the Government has recognised the contribution the arts make, it gives us hope.

“It is not something that we were expecting. So many venues are absolutely on their knees, and it felt like there was no hope. Now, at least there is some.”

Jane added that she expects each arts venue to cope with reopening differently, with Norden Farm benefiting from extra room compared to other centres.

She says that about 100 people will be able to sit in the theatre with a one metre social distancing rule enforced – down on 220 in normal circumstances.

“I wish I had a crystal ball, but I hope the potential for us to find ways of working in these unprecedented times is kind of more favourable, because we have got more space,” Jane said.

“But of course it is an expensive operation to run. There are just so many unknowns.

“In the arts, we have so many components to make things back up financially, so it is a very fine balancing act – and with social distancing, it becomes even more extreme.

“The messages we have had have been lovely, and as soon as it is humanly possible to reopen, we will.”

Jane added that Norden Farm will be looking at a reduced schedule in the autumn if it is able to reopen then, with the plan being to open four days a week, Wednesday to Saturday.

There was some criticism that the grant had come too late for some parts of the industry, with many facing job losses, but Jane said she ‘can only feel really positive’ at this time.

The Government says it is ‘finalising guidance for a phased return of the performing arts sectors' which will be published ‘shortly’. Oliver Dowden MP, the culture secretary, said: “I said we would not let the arts down, and this massive investment shows our level of commitment.”

W Norden Farm has run an online programme throughout lockdown. Visit norden.farm for more information.