THE introduction of a second national lockdown came as a huge blow for the events industry.

Just as sites across Sussex had gone to great lengths to make their venues suitable for socially distanced shows following the loosening of restrictions in August, they were forced to shut again.

The Argus has reported new research which shows that Brighton looks set to lose more than £11 million in revenue as a result of cancelled events due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Research from website Eventopedia looked at the number of cancelled events between March 2020 and 2021, the average ticket cost and venue capacity at the Brighton Centre, and the Brighton Dome and Brighton Music Hall.

Late last month, the usually 5,500 capacity Brighton Centre announced plans for its grand reopening as it prepared for life after lockdown.

The Argus:

The venue has worked to limit the capacity to 504, with groups of no more than four people sitting at socially distanced tables within the auditorium.

On October 31, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK would once again be plunged into lockdown, in an attempt to reduce the rising coronavirus infection rate across the UK

The lockdown is due to last until December 2 and if it is lifted then these shows will still take place as planned.

From December 2, regions are set to go back to the government’s localised coronavirus alert system.