Scotland's events sector to receive £10m funding package

A £10m funding package has been created to help the events sector in Scotland recover from the pandemic while restrictions are still in place, with funding streams to provide support for organisers and supply chains.

The Scottish government has said it will also use the funding to explore increasing community engagement and support adaptations to how events are run in order to ensure a safe restart.

Economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the events sector and its wider supply chain, and whilst we've had the positive step that drive-in events can resume, most of the sector will be unable to operate for some time to come.

"We've worked closely and constructively with the sector on the challenges they face and they have brought forward some creative ideas on how they can begin to operate safely. In addition to providing immediate support, some of this funding will look to bolster innovation and aid the longer term recovery of the events industry.

She added that Scotland has a track record of planning, delivery and success in events at international, national and local levels and that the funding would future-proof the sector and allow Scotland to remain "the perfect stage for events".

Peter Duthie, chair of the Event Industry Advisory Group and chief executive of the SEC (Scottish Event Campus) in Glasgow, agreed that the funding was good news for Scotland's event industry, saying, "it was one of the first to go into lockdown and will be one of the last to fully come out".

"Additional funding from government for this important sector is very welcome and much needed, both by the event organisers and the wider supply chain businesses who are being hit exceptionally hard by the ongoing effect of an extended period of lockdown."

The events sector in Scotland contributes around £6b to the Scottish economy annually and plays a vital role in the health and wellbeing of the nation. Details of how to apply for the funding will be issued in due course.

Photo: Shutterstock

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