U.K. MUSIC VENUES UNDER THREAT (AGAIN)

Music venues and nightclubs across the U.K. are facing an “existential emergency” due to rocketing energy prices, according to an open letter to the British government.

Five organizations representing the U.K. hospitality sector, including the Music Venue Trust and Night Time Industries Association, have signed the letter.

In it, the orgs detail how an energy price hike of 300% joins a host of other “prohibitive” conditions for trading, including chronic supply-chain challenges, labor shortages, inflation and interest-rate hikes.

Venues have had to reduce their hours of operation, with some confronting the threat of permanent closure. As a result, the government is being urged to outline a support package for the sector.

“After two incredibly difficult years where venues have had to fight for simple survival, it would be an extraordinary outcome to see them closed and permanently lost because of an energy market that is completely out of control and not fit for purpose,” said Mark Davyd, CEO of the Music Venue Trust.