# Royal Albert Hall launches urgent public appeal in wake of COVID-19

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/09/08/royal-albert-hall-launches-urgent-public-appeal-in-wake-of-covid-19/
- Published: 2020-09-08T15:53:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Royal Albert Hall has launched an urgent public appeal to raise at least £
20 million to help it survive its enforced closure as a result of the pandemic. 
Its doors have been closed since 17 March 2020.**

 

 

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The Royal Albert Hall, in London’s Kensington, might have been described in government
references as a ‘crown jewel’ that must be saved, but it can not apply for any grants
within the [£1.57 billion arts and heritage sector emergency fund](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/07/06/government-announces-1-57bn-of-support-for-uk-arts/)
from the government.

 

 

 

The fundraising appeal was launched at the same time as representatives of the charity
were giving evidence to the DCMS Select Committee on the viability of performance
venues to open adhering to social distancing rules.

 

 

 

The appeal is explicitly asking for public donations “to help ensure its survival”.
The venue is one of many arts venues to be facing this challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

![Empty auditorium during the coronavirus lockdown. 11 June 2020](https://wfay6x.
infiniteuploads.cloud/2020/09/rah_61706466495.jpg)

_Empty auditorium during the coronavirus lockdown. 11 June 2020. Photo: © Royal 
Albert Hall_

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

## Previous £6m annual surplus

 

 

 

The Hall relies on revenue from events, annual contributions from seat-holders; 
and donations from organisations and members of the public. Ordinarily, it would
expect to make approximately £6 million surplus each year. All of this is invested
into the Grade I-listed building and into its education and outreach programme.

 

 

 

When the venue had to close its doors in March, it lost 96% of its income overnight.
In the six months since then, it has:

 

 

 

 * lost **£18 million** in income
 * had to refund over **£6.5 million** of ticket sales
 * “exhausted its reserves”
 * and cancelled all but the most critical building projects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

![Royal Albert Hall interiors. 8 October 2014.](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/
2020/09/rah_25811782844.jpg)

_A packed auditorium at the Royal Albert Hall in October 2014. Photo: © Royal Albert
Hall_

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craig Hassall, CEO of the Royal Albert Hall, explained: “Six months on from enforced
closure, and circa £**18m** down in lost income, we are not eligible for any of 
the Government’s emergency grants. 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.

 

 

 

“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. With millions
of pounds of essential building work called to a halt owing to COVID we had hoped
to be eligible for a capital grant but have been informed that, as we are not a 
portfolio of nationally spread sites, we are not eligible for this scheme.”

 

 

 

He added that the ‘rescue package fanfare’ had given many potential donors “the 
false sense that we are being sufficiently supported elsewhere”.

 

 

 

He concluded: “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
£20m shortfall.” 

 

 

 

The [Royal Albert Hall](http://www.royalalberthall.com) is approaching its **150th
anniversary** in 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_Main photo: © Royal Albert Hall_

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