Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has responded to economic damage caused by the Coronavirus pandemic by issuing emergency funds for the city’s creative and entertainment industries. Worth a total value of £2.3 million, the Culture at Risk Business Support Fund has been launched in conjunction with the Music Venue Trust, the Creative Land Trust, the BFI and LGBTQ+ Venues Forum to ensure venues and artists across the capital receive support as gigs are cancelled and tours postponed.

Given that the cultural and creative industries within London annually contribute to £52 billion of the city’s economy, and account for 1 in 6 jobs within the capital, there is high precedent placed upon the security and longevity of such artistic enterprises.

Quoted in a london.gov.uk Mayoral press release earlier today, Mr. Khan says, “our culture, creative industries and night time economy … are so important to the fabric of our city … and they will play a key role in helping us to recover from this public health crisis.”

The Mayor will reportedly be extending financial aid in the following monetary break-downs: the sum of £225,000 to support 56 queer venues partnered with the LGBTQ+ Venues Forum; £150,o00 for the BFI to help maintain up to 25 of its independent cinemas; £450,000 to the Music Venue Trust for the aid of up to 147 grassroots music venues; yet the majority of the Mayor’s emergency funding is to be utilised by the Creative Land Trust, which is set to receive £1.5 million so that it can support thousands of residents within 200 artists’ studios and workspaces.

Underlining his pride in being able to provide such emergency funding to valued industries in need of assistance, Mr. Khan did conclude his statement with a rally call to the government, which needs “to step forward and provide the comprehensive support this industry needs to protect its future.”