New fund to support London’s at risk culture

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a new emergency £2.3 million fund to support culture and creative industries at risk due to the impact of the coronavirus.

Khan is working with the Music Venue Trust, the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, the Creative Land Trust and BFI to help venues and artists across the capital through the new Culture at Risk Business Support Fund, and said that the organisations set to benefit from the investment are those most at risk of falling into administration and unable to benefit from government schemes.

The culture and creative industries are worth £52 billion to the capital’s economy a year and account for one in six jobs.

Khan said: “The coronavirus outbreak is having a significant impact on every aspect of life in London, and that includes our culture, creative industries and night time economy. These industries are so important to the fabric of our city during the day and night, and they will play a key role in helping us to recover from this public health crisis. I’m pleased to be working together with the Music Venue Trust, the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum, the Creative Land Trust and the BFI to offer this emergency funding to those areas most at need, but we need the government to step forward and provide the comprehensive support this industry needs to protect its future.”