A rescue for London’s arts and theatres hit by coronavirus is being negotiated with the Treasury, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden revealed today.
He said “intricate discussions” were being conducted with Chancellor Rishi Sunak about the sector’s hopes of a generous long-term financial package rather than a temporary fix.
Mr Dowden made clear he is pushing for a bigger bailout. “I am not going to stand by and see our world-leading position in arts and culture destroyed,” said the Cabinet minister as he revealed that he hopes to give permission to galleries and museums to reopen next month.
However, he warned that ticketed performance arts will have to wait longer before they can reopen.
“I would love us to be able to start opening great galleries from July 4,” he said, suggesting a one-way system in the National Gallery to enable visitors to enjoy art safely.
There would be “a rolling opening of galleries and other principally visual cultural institutions”. But he held less hope for theatres and concert venues.
“Something like theatre cannot function properly with two-metre social distancing,” he said. He said the Chancellor was “very engaged and understanding about the value” of the sector to the nation. But his strong words on the need for cash help suggested the Treasury was haggling over the details and favouring a shorter and less generous rescue scheme.
