Liverpool’s Cavern Club “Could Close Forever” Due To Covid-19

They’ve Been Losing Thousands of Dollars Since The Pandemic First Hit

The coronavirus pandemic has caused several businesses to close and declare bankruptcy. And now, a historic venue in Liverpool threatens to close its doors permanently because of Covid-19 – this according to local government officials and the owners.

The Cavern Club made history because The Beatles played almost 300 shows there prior to the British Invasion.

Last Friday, Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson told The Liverpool Echo that even if UK has started to reopen music venues with reduced capacity and strictly following social distancing guidelines, The Cavern Club “could close forever” if its bid to the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund falls through.

Anderson said, “The fact that the world-famous Cavern could close forever because of Covid-19 should bring home to the Government how much our hugely treasured music industry is in peril. This virus has caused unimaginable pain and grief but it’s proving to be an existential threat to our cultural scene.”

He added, “The prospect of losing a national jewel like the Cavern is a horrible scenario for all concerned, be they Beatles fans, music lovers and above all those whose livelihoods depend on it.”

Bill Heckle, one of the club’s current directors, revealed that The Cavern Club has been losing £30,000 ($39,000) a week since the start of the lockdown in March and had to let go of 20 employees. They’re expecting to layoff 20 more in the next few weeks. Their extra funds have also been halved. He said, “We made a decision a few years ago to keep as much money in the bank as possible for a rainy day, not realizing it was going to be a thunderstorm.”

He further continued, “It’s a very vibrant part of the Liverpool economy, which is why we’re reaching out at the end of August and reopening the Cavern for a week, virtually and bands from all around the world have sent messages and recorded sets. We know we’re not going to make money, it’s about really reminding people we’re here and the sole aim is to get out the other side. I’m sure we will, but it is about survival.”

The Cavern Club opened in Liverpool in 1957. Before the pandemic, they had around 800,000 visitors every year. The Beatles played their first show in the venue in 1961.