A Statement from Table Art: Lockdown Week 8
A Light at the End of The Tunnel
MD Gary Martin | Dated May 26th 2020:
This week really feels like there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Slowly, very slowly things are starting to move towards some sort of normal.
We can now go out of the house more than once a day. We can travel in the car to take our exercise. Many beauty spots have re-opened. We can visit one person from outside our own household as long as it is outdoors. And we are encouraged to go back to work if we can’t work from home.
The plan is for some school children to return from 1st June with others returning around 15th. Non-essential shops will be allowed to open from 15th June. There is talk of other retailers re-opening on 4th July including hairdressers and beauty shops. Rumours are that we may take domestic holidays soon and even foreign ones before the summer is out. If all goes to plan pubs, hotels and cinemas could also re-open on July 4th.
Of course, this is all dependant on things going to plan and the “R” rate remaining below one. However, it definitely feels like a light at the end of the tunnel. Although initially hospitality venues will probably look very different with social distancing, it may be the start of hospitality returning. Certainly by the end of the Summer we should know if we are getting on top of this virus. This should hopefully still give us time for some events before the end of the year. Although it is all still a long way off, I can’t help but feel a little more positive this week.
Positive Thinking for The Events Industry
All of us in the events industry desperately need some positive thinking. Whilst many businesses have been given an idea when they might be able to start getting an income again, we are still not even in the pipeline. However, although we may be last on the list, we should certainly not give up hope.
People are naturally social beings, and there is nothing like a “do” to bring people together, enjoying themselves. We like to celebrate in groups, whether it is a birthday, wedding or Christmas party and we love to gather to watch sports events. We also love to be appreciated so there is nothing more enjoyable than being rewarded with a works party or awards event. There are many people who have worked hard through this awful time and I am sure, once it is safe, they will need a good old knees up.
Social Gatherings Are Not Over
Zoom and Teams have been brilliant through this time. Many people have had get-togethers with quiz nights, drinks nights and virtual dinner parties. But as fun as they are, let’s be honest, there is nothing like getting dressed up to the nines, attending a lovely hotel, eating and drinking wonderful food and wine, followed by dancing on a dance floor with friends and colleagues. Not to mention admiring beautiful lit table centres and room décor supplied by Table Art of course!!!
This will happen. Although we still don’t know exactly when, events are not over. The events industry will return. One day soon our desire to socialise will ensure events come back and one way or another, whichever vaccine or test enables this, it will happen.
I think the light at the end of the tunnel is still very faint in the distance but the glow is getting slightly brighter each week.
Stay safe and stay positive.
