Scottish authorities have unveiled a £2.2 million aid package for grassroots venues sidelined by COVID-19. The announcement follows that of a broader relief fund to the tune of £1.57 billion allocated to U.K. cultural institutions that was approved last week.
Scottish economy secretary Fiona Hyslop announced the package in a July 11th First Minister’s briefing, according to DJ Mag. The Music Venues Trust, who have pushed for aid since pandemic restrictions were put in place nearly four months ago, negotiated the final amount.
Hyslop also announced a £38 million package for the “most promising” startup businesses outside of entertainment, according to The Sunday Post. “We need to find ways to support our most innovative sectors because their access to finance has been severely restricted,” she said. “We need to promote growth in areas like life sciences, digital technologies and space.”
Some have argued that the U.K. nightclubs were overlooked by last week’s aid announcement. Night Time Industries Association chief executive Michael Kill told the press that lawmakers were allowing nightlife institutions to “slip through the cracks.”
Outdoor venues and gatherings in the U.K. will be allowed to resume operations with social distancing measures in place starting July 11th.
Image credit: Alexander Popov
