Think tank calls for West End recovery programme

Centre for London has called for a series of vouchers, outdoor shows and tax breaks to help save the West End.

The coronavirus lockdown has hit the West End particularly hard, which is famous the world over for its theatres, restaurants and vars.

According to the think tank, 18,364 performances took place across London’s theatres last year, drawing in 15 million spectators, and bringing in £800m in revenue.

In July, Bectu, the cultural workforce trade union, predicted that 2,700 jobs had already been lost in London theatres.

In a new report out today (3 September), Centre for London has called on landowners should work with London government to stage weekly ‘London fringe’ events across the West End’s streets, creating new spaces for outdoor performances that respect physical distancing rules.

It also argues that the government should introduce culture vouchers once indoor performances restart, similar to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, to bring audiences back to venues in London and other city centres, benefit those who are less able to pay, and increase spending in shops, restaurants, pubs, and cafes as well.

And it recommends ministers should offer ‘enterprise-zone’ style tax breaks for start-ups who move into empty premises in the central London area.

To encourage the West End to become a greener and more liveable neighbourhood, the report also argues that London boroughs should continue to help restaurants and bars to operate outdoors particularly over winter, including through outdoor shelters, temporary street closures and consolidated deliveries.

‘London’s West End is at the heart of the capital’s cultural life and the nation’s global appeal, but it has struggled with the slowdown of commuting, the loss of domestic days out, and the pause in international tourism,’ said Centre for London’s deputy director, Richard Brown.

‘As we look beyond the crisis, we need to make sure that the West End can sustain the rich mix of places, events and venues that give it human scale and character, as well as opening up space for new ideas and new enterprises.

‘The West End has shown itself to be incredibly resilient over time, but it needs help in coming months to avoid losing the buzz that will bring the crowds back as we recover from the COVID-19 crisis.’

Photo Credit – TheOtherKev (Pixabay)