Music industry warns UK music studios could close without energy bills support

nme.com:

Music Week, raising costs of running the spaces by tens of thousands of pounds.Music Producers Guild executive director Cameron Craig highlighted the issues facing those who run independent recording studios, saying that the COVID pandemic had only recently shown “just how close to the bone” they are run.“The unprecedented energy cost rises are just another body blow to a sector just finding its feet in a post-pandemic recovery once again creating an uncertain future,” Craig said. “We call on the government to help the recording sector or lose an integral part of the UK’s cultural and creative capital.”UK Music back @ukMPG as they warn studios face closure without urgent action to tackle crippling energy bills.

Government need to cut VAT and extend business rate help to give a lifeline to music businesses fighting for survival.Read more here: https://t.co/dGeTZ2VHbp pic.twitter.com/WFqGJyqOy6— UK Music (@UK_Music) August 30, 2022UK Music’s chief executive Jamie Njoku-Goodwin has also called on the government to urgently put in place measures that will help venues, studios and other music-related businesses survive.

He has suggested cutting VAT down from 20 per cent and extending business rates help to give those affected in the industry a chance to survive.“Spiralling energy costs have created an existential threat for venues and music studios,” Njoku-Goodwin said. “It’s urgent that the government takes action to support businesses with the costs they are facing.

We all saw just how miserable life was without live music during the pandemic when venues were closed for months – the high cost of energy bills could now close them forever.“The new prime minister must ensure that music businesses are included in the support.