Government set to launch ‘Seat Out to Help Out’ scheme to save theatres, live shows and events

The government is looking into launching a ‘Seat Out to Help Out’ scheme – similar to August’s Eat Out to Help Out – to encourage people to get to live shows and events again. 

From August 15th, theatres in England could open their doors once again with reduced capacity and social distancing maintained within the audience – although this wasn’t the case in Greater Manchester and other areas still in local lockdown. 

Instead, socially distanced indoor performances will be allowed across Greater Manchester – apart from in Bolton where rates remain high – from tomorrow, Tuesday September 8th, while places like casinos, soft play areas and bowling alleys will also be allowed to reopen.

However, industry experts have warned that without near-full capacity, events cannot afford to keep performances going. 

The Prime Minister and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden are reportedly looking at ways to get crowds back into large venues following the further lifting of restrictions, according to The Sunday Times. 

‘Seat Out to Help Out’ would provide discounts for those with a ticket. 

A government source told the Sunday Times: “It could be tickets for a tenner on a Monday, with a link to local restaurants.”

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has warned that the nation needs to ‘get back into theatres’ to stop them from going out of business. 

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, he said: “We need to start filling seats in much larger numbers – not just for the audiences, not just for the venues and livelihoods who depend on them, but for the entire urban economy, too.

“Theatre is a lynchpin of London’s West End and its absence is painfully reflected in its deserted streets. Innovation is key. It has the ability to rewrite the entire script, and I’m keen to take some of the best experimental ideas for getting people into our theatres safely and put them into practice.”

On-the-day coronavirus tests for theatre-goers have also been discussed, which could enable venues and sports stadiums open sooner. 

Currently, theatres are operating at a 25% capacity, despite West End theatre owners saying audiences need to be at around 70-80% capacity to be financially viable. 

Sports stadiums need to be at 60% capacity according to bosses, but will also have to maintain distancing.