Positive signs

Almost nine weeks into lockdown and while the situation remains concerning, we are beginning to see some positive signs.

As you’ll know the Government published it’s 60-page ‘COVID-19 Recovery Strategy’ on 11th May, which suggested that some cultural and sporting events may take place from next month (though behind closed doors for broadcast) and that some hospitality and leisure facilities could reopen in July (though excluding ‘venues which are, by design, crowded and where it may prove difficult to enact distancing’).

Although we’re still lacking specific details from the Government, or much of a clear timeframe, things are moving in the right direction.

Here at Skiddle we are (as ever) remaining positive, and we’re pleased to report that we’re seeing an increasing number of new events listed on the site, both for later in the year and 2021, demonstrating some optimism for the days ahead.

We’re also looking to our European neighbours and watching closely how their event industries get going again. In Berlin some clubs have even reopened (though as food and drink gardens), while in Italy, one of the nations hardest hit by the pandemic, they have announced that live music events of up to 200 people indoors and 1000 people outdoors can begin from June 15th.

We’re also seeing a number of organisers across the world trialing socially-distanced gigs and concerts, while others, including in the UK, are experimenting with a new kind of ‘drive-in’ event.

Of course, it’s too early to say when gigs, club nights and festivals as we know them will return to the UK, but thankfully we are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Drive-in events
As mentioned above, one emerging category for this summer is that of Drive-In events. Synonymous with 1950s America, this is the next in-demand night out with possibilities including bingo, comedy, cinema and even raves!

If you’re contemplating putting on a drive-in event, get in touch with us and we can help promote your event and maximise your sales.

NEW: Refund window options
When you action an event postponement, you will now be asked how you would like to handle refunds. This is to assist our Customer Care team and ensure your customers are looked after, but also to make sure enquiries are handled exactly how you would like them to be.

At Skiddle, we are actively encouraging customers to retain their ticket(s) for rescheduled dates and forgo refunds, if they can. However, for some customers, this will not be possible and as such, they are legally entitled to a refund at any time up until the rescheduled date. Therefore, we want to ensure anything refund related is handled as you would like it to be.

Please see our help article for how to manage your refund window options.

NEW: Customer Contact Form
Many promoters are happy for Skiddle to honour refund requests outside of the published refund window (and therefore ensuring you remain compliant with UK laws). Some promoters have requested that any refund requests outside of this window are referred to them on a case-by-case basis.

Under these circumstances, our support team in the past would have recommended that customers contact you directly via social media or a public email address. This can lead to delays in issuing authorised refunds as screenshots or copies of emails need to be provided. Now, customers are able to do this via Skiddle and all communication is contained in one place.

Customers now have the ability to contact you directly, via their Order History, if the option to claim a refund link has expired, and you’ve opted for these cases to be referred to you. Your contact details are kept confidential. You can find out more information about how this works and what to look out for by heading here.

If you’d prefer for Skiddle to honour refund requests outside of the self-service window on your behalf, please get in touch and we’ll update your preferences.

Content
Last week we posted the second episode of our new podcast series, The Guest List, discussing the plight of grassroots live music venues badly affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

We’re constantly monitoring what is going on within the event industry as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, including the UK independent festival sector, which is calling on the Government for urgent support – you can read about it here.

Ending on some good news from the Music Venue Trust, which says it has rescued 140 live music venues from immediate closure through its #SaveOurVenues campaign – though over 400 are still under threat. You can read that story here.

If you would like to discuss anything covered in this week’s update, please do not hesitate to contact our teams below.

Account Managers – am@skiddle.com

Account Support – promoters@skiddle.com

Speak soon,

Skiddle x