A string of arts venues throughout South Lanarkshire will be unable to hold shows or concerts as long as social distancing measures are in place.
South Lanarkshire Council's properties, which include Hamilton Townhouse, Rutherglen Town Hall, Lanark Memorial Hall, East Kilbride Arts Centre and the Village Theatre, are currently selling tickets for events from August onwards.
However, it will not be financially viable for nearly all the bookings to go ahead if restrictions remain in place.
The Scottish Government has so far not provided any dates or proposals for when guidelines might be eased for the sector, and currently advises a two-metre distance should be kept.
That would mean that the 400 capacity Rutherglen Town Hall would only be able to accommodate around 70 people for shows.
A number of trade bodies have expressed concern about the guidelines and fear their sector is being forgotten about.
The Federation of Scottish Theatres recently stated: “The continued uncertainty and lack of clarity in Scotland is resulting in increased nervousness and unwillingness of producers booking their productions and concerts into Scotland’s venues, particularly while their options are much more secure south of the border.”
David Booth, General Manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, said: “We are looking forward to being able to welcome back performers and audiences in what we would recognise as more normal circumstances. However, while any social distancing measures remain in place for venues and theatres, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) will not be in a position to stage the majority of our events.
“The reduced number of available tickets for sale, coupled with the loss from ancillary income, is causing most or all of our events to be financially unviable – not only for our venues and theatres but also for artists and promoters.
“SLLC was successful in a funding application to the Scottish Government/Creative Scotland’s Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund, which has allowed us to engage with a number of freelance artists and companies to stage performances in a socially-distanced environment.
“Tickets for shows scheduled from August and beyond will remain on sale in the hope that social-distancing measures will be removed, but we will of course continue to follow any Government guidance and it may be the case that some of the shows currently on sale will require to be rescheduled.
“The capacities for our venues take account of current distancing guidelines but also vary according to the configuration of specific shows.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We do not underestimate the severe impact the pandemic is having on the performing arts sector and we want organisations to be able to plan effectively for a full reopening but we must continue to move very carefully to ensure continued suppression of COVID-19.
“We’re currently reviewing physical distancing including its impact on the performing arts. The outcome of the review will be reflected in a future update to the performing arts and venues guidance which will include proposals for a clear route to the reduction and removal of physical distancing. As with all infection prevention measures, we will only have physical distancing in place as long as is necessary.
“We will provide further support for the sector through a second round of the Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund and the Performing Arts Venues Relief Fund.”
Further details are expected ahead of any possible move to Level 1 status, which could be in June at the earliest.
