The HBAA has called on the UK government to urgently
lift the current ban on venue site inspection visits, saying it is blocking the return of the industry and that there is a real disparity with other sectors, such as estate agents, who are able to operate in a Covid-safe way.
Des
Mclaughlin, managing director of Meet Events and HBAA strategy director, said:
“Our industry is facing a colossal problem because clients are not willing to
sign an event contract without a site inspection and the government’s latest
roadmap does not permit site visits until 17 May at the earliest, despite
venues adhering to strict Covid-safe policies. This is blocking the return of a
£70bn industry.
“There is also
a real disparity in the guidelines between industries which the government must
address immediately. Estate agents have been permitted to conduct house
viewings throughout this last lockdown. So why is there still a ban on
organised and controlled visits to venues that are operating professionally
under Covid-19 protocols?”
Mclaughlin said there had been a surge of enquiries since the government
announced its roadmap out of lockdown a few weeks ago but added, "It has been extremely
challenging for venues to respond to the sudden demand and balance staffing
levels when many key personnel are on furlough because venues have been forced
to close and do not have any immediate incoming business.”