20/04/2020: UK Music’s new chair Tom Watson has warned of the “grave difficulties” facing the music industry as result of the coronavirus pandemic.
He outlined his concerns in an interview with BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, broadcast on Saturday April 18th, to mark what would have been Record Store Day (now rescheduled to June 20).
He said “everyone is hurting” with many facing a struggle to keep a float as a result of the impact of the health emergency on the music industry.
Tom Watson said the industry has set up several hardship funds to help those worst hit in a sector that sustains 190,000 jobs and contributes £5.2 billion a year to the economy.
He added: “Everyone is swinging in to support their own, but we're seeing very tough times in the sector.”
However, the new chair said he hoped the sector would recover to become the Prime Minister’s “calling card to all global capitals” when future trade deals are negotiated in a post-Brexit world after restrictions were lifted.
You can hear Tom’s full interview with Chris Hawkins here (scroll to 2.45.30).
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