PLASA – the international body that represents technology supplies to the entertainment industry – is leading a day of action to raise awareness of the plight of the sector. PLASA said that COVID-19 has left many of its members without work for four months, and that the UK Government has not done enough to help.
The day of action is today (11 August) – under the banner #WeMakeEvents – and includes protest marches across the UK in London, Blackpool, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Tunbridge Wells.
“Our industry includes a huge supply chain ranging from production, audio, lighting and video, to logistics, planning, transportation, and some of the world’s leading technology manufacturers,” said PLASA in a statement. “Without additional support for the supply chain, the UK is in danger of losing its global position as a world leader in world class events.”
Specifically, PLASA has sent three demands to the UK Government:
- Grants – not loans – made available to businesses in the events supply chain.
- Furlough scheme extended until the industry is back to work.
- Extension of the self-employment scheme, tailored towards the industry.
PLASA has a social media toolkit available to download for companies and individuals who want to take part in the protest. It is also asking people to write to their MP and record videos that share how the industry has been affected.
