According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the economy fell to a record 20.4% in the first 3 months of the year. The figure is much worse than that of many other primary European countries.
The UK, which relies heavily on the facility sector and customer spending, saw family spending fall during the closure, while production of factories and structures also fell.
At the same time, the fall in employment in the April-June quarter is also the most pronounced since 2009, with 730,000 jobs lost.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak told the BBC that “difficult times have come” and that the government is “fighting with that unprecedented.” He said the economic crisis would lead to more job losses, but said the Conservative government had no plans to extend its employment subsidy program, which is expected to end after October.
The entertainment industry has suffered along with many others. Film networks, theatres and concert halls have been closed for months and maximum primary film and television productions, which generate significant foreign investment, have been suspended.
However, change is coming. Today, Odeon, the UK’s largest cinema chain, announced the reopening of 70 UK cinemas in time for Tenet’s long-awaited release at the end of the month. The reopening will come with Luxe Leicester Square of Odeon. 29 Odeon cinemas with social distance, protocols and mandatory masking had already been opened.
Yesterday, the third British channel Vue announced the reopening of all sites in two phases: Friday 21 August and Wednesday 26 August.
The box office, which valued $1.6 billion last year, has been low since a limited number of cinemas reopened, as the studios opened the tents and public uncertainty about the virus persists.
Meanwhile, London’s Bridge Theatre hopes to host David Hare’s new Play Beat The Devil next month, making it one of the first primary plays to take position since the lockdown.
As the UK faces its biggest economic challenge in a decade, the entertainment industry will continue to be affected by persistent uncertainty, close-ups and loss of tasks. But for the first time in a few months, a flash of kindness is on the horizon.