UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin welcomes “huge vote of confidence” in UK music industry as Cultural Recovery Fund cash is shared out

12 October 2020 - Press release

UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has welcomed the £257 million share-out of Government cash to a host of music venues and orchestras.

The grants to 1,385 Covid-hit arts organisations are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Cultural Recovery Fund unveiled by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden in July as a lifeline for the arts and important cultural assets.

An estimated 90% of applications for funding to the Arts Council have been successful in a major boost to live music and venues.

The announcement today (Monday October 12) is for Round 1 of grant applications that are under £1 million.

Among the wide range of music venues to benefit are Liverpool’s Cavern Club, Ministry of Sound, The Horn, St Albans, The Clapham Grand, Electric Ballroom in Camden, and The 100 Club. There were grants for Exeter Cavern, Futuresound Group in Leeds, Hebden Bridge Trades Club, Brighton Dome and many more.

There were also grants for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, Manchester Jazz Festival, St George’s in Bristol and The Leadmill in Sheffield.


Welcoming the announcement, UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin said:
“This funding is fantastic news and will be a lifeline for so many music venues that have been struggling to survive since they first felt the impact of Covid-19 in March.

“It is a huge vote of confidence in the £5.2 billion UK music industry, and recognises that our industry will be a key part of the post-pandemic recovery.

“The music industry has worked hard to help itself and all those who depend on it to make a living, and shown incredible ingenuity in its fight to get back on its feet.

“This crucial Government investment in our cultural infrastructure will reap major dividends in the years ahead as we emerge from the pandemic. While the music industry will still need support to help it recover, particularly for the 72% of our sector who are self-employed, today is a hugely welcome first step.

“Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and the Government should be congratulated for these vital steps to preserve our world-leading music industry. This funding will help pave the way for music to become one of the great British success stories of the next decade.”