03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Wales Millennium Centre 250 jobs loss threat

WALES Millennium Centre warns that it could remain closed until April 2021.

The centre employs 140 permanent staff, with just over half now at risk of redundancy.

Casual staff will also no longer be employed, hence a total of 250 roles are affected.

The closure will also affect the 300 volunteers and freelancers who work at events and productions at the centre, which has about 1.6 million visitors every

The Centre, in Cardiff Bay, said that the coronavirus pandemic has had a ‘devastating impact’ and that all shows have been cancelled until the end of 2020. This means it is facing a £20m loss in income.

The main auditorium was also due to host Welsh National Opera’s autumn season, while its annual Festival of Voice has also been scrapped.

Managing Director Mathew Milsom said:

”The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on theatres across the UK and, like many others, we have concluded that we won’t be able to put performances on our stages again while social distancing measures are in place.”

“Under these circumstances, we can’t open the theatre in a way that provides a good audience experience and that is economically viable for the centre and the producers who present their work here.”

The Arts Council of Wales has also warned of the ”real hardship” by the closure of venues.

Chief Executive Nick Capaldi said:

“Performing arts venues are going to be particularly difficult to populate in the social distancing world – how quickly are people going to want to come back and be part of a large crowd?”

He added that the Arts Council was expecting between 400 and 500 applications for assistance from a £7m emergency fund for artists and non-profit arts organisations set up in response to coronavirus.

 

 

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