Due to the rapid spread of Coronavirus in London, spokespersons for the Royal Albert Hall and the Barbican have announced today that both venues will close temporarily.
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and following advice from government, we have taken the decision with a heavy heart to close the Royal Albert Hall from midday today, Tuesday 17 March, to the public until further notice,” an RAH spokesperson said.
“The safety and security of our artists, audiences and staff is, ultimately, all that matters. We’ve been here for the nation for almost 150 years in good times and bad. We exist to be open, to entertain, to inspire. Our doors are made to be open to the world and so it goes against everything in our nature to close them. But these aren’t normal times and we find ourselves in the unique situation where closing our doors is the best way to look after the world.”
“We invest millions of pounds every year just to look after our building, but our main costs are our staff, whose livelihoods are at stake,” the spokesperson said. ”We have committed to pay our people through various closure scenarios, and any support you are able to give us would be enormously appreciated.”
Anyone wishing to support the Royal Albert Hall can do so here.
