The UK Government has confirmed that professional music studios can remain open over lockdown. This will include residential studios under the latest restrictions that have gone into affect the nation this Thursday.
UK Chief Executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has welcomed the news by saying to Music Week magazine, “This is extremely welcome news and an important vote of confidence by the government in the UK music industry and our world-leading recording studios. I am delighted that ministers have recognised the huge amount of work that has gone into stringent measures to ensure that our studios are Covid-safe environments where work can and should continue.”
He continued by explaining how this benefits the music industry and the economy and says to Music Week “Studios are a key part of the ecosystem of the UK music industry that contributes £5.2 billion a year to the economy and employs 190,000 people. We are determined to continue to work with the government to keep as much of the music industry open as possible as we strive to get the whole industry back on its feet.”
Although Entertainment venues, restaurants, bars, cinemas, and non essential retail places are to shut over the month lockdown set in place from this Thursday 5th November. The body that represents UK Music were reassured that as they are, ‘Places of work’ as ‘The Evening Express‘ reports, they will continue for business.
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Q: Can arts venues open for rehearsals and to stream performances?
A: Yes. Arts venues are places of work, so people can come into them for work, if it cannot be undertaken from home. This includes rehearsals and performance. Audiences are not permitted.
— Oliver Dowden (@OliverDowden) November 2, 2020
Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary has confirmed that has confirmed that arts venues will remain open for rehearsals and streaming performances. Caroline Dinenage, minister of state for digital and culture commented on the subject as the ‘The Evening Express’ reports,
“Our world-renowned recording studios form the backbone of the recorded music sector, provide vital employment for musicians, engineers and producers, and make important contributions to our economy. As well as allowing artists to continue making albums, studios such as AIR Studios and Abbey Road produce soundtracks for blockbuster movies and our favourite TV series that have kept us entertained throughout the challenges of the pandemic.”
She continued by saying, “The Prime Minister has been clear that workplaces should stay open where people cannot work from home. This includes professional music recording studios, where work activity can continue in line with Covid-secure guidance.”
There is no doubt that labels, artists and all that work within the music sector will applaud this decision as the pandemic and previous lockdown have already had a huge affect on the music industry. The live music sector has been hugely affected by the restrictions, but it is important that the production of new music can continue in a safe environment.
Geoff Taylor, Chief executive of BPI, Brit Awards and Mercury Prize said as noted by UKMusic.Org, “Artists and labels will applaud this decision to keep music production open, which shows faith in the robustness of the production guidelines painstakingly developed to create a safe recording environment. This will allow for continued investment into new music, providing work for musicians and new releases for fans to enjoy.”
