Shabana has written to the Business Secretary in support of wedding venues in light of Covid-19 measures.

The wedding industry is an important part of the hospitality economy, worth around £10 billion to the British economy.

The venues, and their suppliers, have experienced significant financial difficulties through the lockdown period, and are now faced with the proposition that their venues will be shut until an indeterminate later date.

In her letter to the Business Secretary, Alok Sharma MP, Shabana supports calls from the industry to provide clear and specific target dates for resuming wedding receptions, and to allow prospective clients to view wedding venues with appropriate social distancing measures in place.

You can read her letter in full below.

Letter to the Secretary of State

Dear Secretary of State,

I am writing regarding the wedding hospitality industry in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The wedding industry is an important part of the hospitality economy, worth around £10 billion to the British economy, and sustains a large supply chain of small and medium sized enterprises across the country. The lockdown resulted in the cancellation of all weddings, leaving couples, families, venues and the supply chain in disarray.

Large wedding venues are one of those businesses hit significantly by the impact of coronavirus. My constituency of Birmingham Ladywood is home to many such venues that face an uncertain future.

The venues, and their suppliers, have experienced significant financial difficulties through the lockdown period, and are now faced with the proposition that their venues will be shut until an indeterminate later date. The continued closure of venues is due to cover the industry’s busiest month, with nearly a fifth of all wedding taking place in August.

Government guidance currently allows ceremonies or formations to go ahead where they can be performed in a Covid-19 secure environment, with no more than 30 people in attendance following social distancing rules. However, receptions are strongly advised not to take place at this time.

The Government has indicated that they are discussing the possibility of resuming receptions in the future, but have set no deadline for any announcement that would lead to the reopening of large wedding venues. The industry is clear in its position: planning for receptions that will take place in August requires guidance to assist preparations now.

I am supporting calls from the wedding industry for the Government to provide clear and specific target dates for resuming wedding receptions, and to allow prospective clients to view wedding venues with appropriate social distancing measures in place. I would also like to add my voice to the calls to extend business grants to larger wedding venues that fall outside of the current scheme, and to suspend business rates for 2021 to give the industry time to recover.

I look forward to receiving your response.

Yours sincerely,

Shabana Mahmood MP
Birmingham Ladywood