Royal Albert Hall in ‘perilous’ position as venue asks public for £20m in donations

Leading figures in the UK arts sector are giving evidence to MPs on the welfare of the UK arts sector

The Royal Albert Hall is in a “perilous” position and is calling for donations totalling £20m to help sustain it during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The independent venue in Kensington, London, reports an £18m loss of income plus more than £6.5m in refunded ticket sales, exhausting its reserves in the six months since it closed its doors.

After being told that it was not eligible for an emergency grant from the government’s £1.57bn rescue package, the RAH applied for a loan that, if successful, will arrive in December.

The plea to the public comes as the venue approaches its 150th anniversary next year.

Craig Hassall, chief executive of the RAH, said despite the venue being held up as a “crown jewel” by the Government, it remained in an “extremely perilous position”.

The Royal Albert Hall is known for hosting countless music, film, dance and theatre events (RAH)

“Six months on from enforced closure, and circa £18 million down in lost income, we are not eligible for any of the Government's emergency grants,” he said.

“This leaves us in an extremely perilous position, with no way of replacing our lost income, apart from a Government loan which may or may not materialise.”

Mr Hassall was giving evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee to assist with decisions on allowing arts venues to open.

He said that concerns over the RAH and other independent, non-government-funded venues were raised “months ago”, and that the venue now faces “a bleak future”.

“We raised concerns months ago about the potential for independent, unfunded organisations such as the Royal Albert Hall to miss out on Government support, and especially having been held up by Government as a 'crown jewel' that must be saved.

“We are fortunate to have supportive members and private donors who have given generously, but unfortunately, the Rescue Package fanfare has given many potential donors the false sense that we are being sufficiently supported elsewhere,” he said.

“The Royal Albert Hall now faces a bleak future unless it can secure not only a repayable Government loan, but also urgent donations to plug our current £20 million shortfall.”

Musicians are currently participating in live performances at the RAH – without a live audience – across the final two weeks of the BBC Proms. The Last Night of the Proms takes place on Saturday 12 September.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber has also given evidence to MPs over the state of the arts sector in the UK, warning that theatres are approaching “the point of no return” if they are not allowed to reopen.

Additional reporting by Press Association