Cramped West End venues won't survive Covid-19 social distancing, Wigmore Hall boss warns

West End venues will struggle to survive if the government keeps social distancing in place, Wigmore Hall’s chief executive has warned.

The Covid-19 roadmap indicates that West End theatres and concert halls may be able to open with 50% capacity from May 17, and with full houses from June 21.

But cramped London venues built before 1900 cannot maintain a one-metre rule for social distancing without sacrificing more than half of their capacity due to tightly packed seating, Wigmore Hall chief executive John Gilhooly has warned.

The concert hall and other West End venues face a “huge problem” if social distancing remains in place, he said, and government support will be required if they are to survive reopening with drastically reduced audience sizes.

Many West End venues need to achieve 90% capacity just to break even.

“Unfortunately none of us believe in 100% capacity from the 21st of June,” Mr Gilhooly told the Telegraph.

“We were built 120 years go, and the same applies to a lot of the West End theatres - it’s fine as long as it’s not one metre social distancing

“These theatres are so much more cramped, built before current legroom, and maybe for smaller people.

“If it’s a one-metre rule, in any of the auditoriums that were built before 1900, I don’t see how we can get to even 50% capacity.

“When we’re talking going down to about 20% or 25% capacity we will need, all of us, more financial support.

“If this goes on indefinitely and we’re still at those sort of capacities then we have a huge problem. Even at 50% capacity, that’s a big problem for the West End.”

The chief executive and chair of the Royal Philharmonic Society added that unless “that one-metre rule is abolished” help will be needed to prop up the West End, and has called for clear guidance from the government on what social distancing rules will be in place when reopening is possible.

Mr Gilhooly fears the demand for safety measures could lead to a prolonged period of social distancing having an impact on capacities, with limited revenues from limited crowds potentially lasting to autumn and beyond.

He said: "We could be looking at another 12-month crisis before we get anywhere near full capacity."

Wigmore Hall has announced it will be open to public from May 17