Agenda item - Chairs Communications

64.1    The Chair gave the following communications:

“On Saturday 2 May the Children’s Parade, the traditional curtain opener to the Brighton Festival, took place - on line. SameSky, our local innovative arts organisation, invited all to take part from their living rooms, gardens, balconies and front steps. Hundreds of people used costumes and props they had spent hours making in the run up to the event. The event was set on its way by a local samba band. Demonstrating the creativity for which the city is known this will hopefully be the first of many ways our once thriving events sector keeps itself at the forefront of the UK’s arts scene.

Royal Pavilion & Museum have focused their efforts on engaging more people online during lockdown. Over 30 members of staff, including some who usually work in front of house roles, are contributing and learning new skills. To date this includes a brand new Close Look Collections website, online jigsaw puzzles, a second season of its podcast, and more content on its blog and social media. This work has been featured on Radio Sussex, ITV Meridan and the BBC's Culture in Quarantine programming.

VisitBrighton have secured £19k grant from the Destination Management Organisation Resilience Fund administered by Visit Britain.  They have been liaising extensively with Tourism South East, Tourism Alliance and Visit Britain, ensuring Brighton is represented locally, regionally and nationally. The team are actively disseminating government guidance and advice via a daily e-newsletter to tourism businesses and are working collegiately with Brighton and Hove stakeholders to prepare a post-lockdown marketing campaign, as well as promoting and supporting Brighton & Hove businesses who are offering delivery services.  They are working with conference and event’s organisers to re-schedule events, ensuring business is retained in the City for the recovery period and have secured press coverage in 20 region newspapers highlighting Brighton as top 5 destination to visit post-lockdown

VisitBrighton launched Big BrightonONline Weekender to be virtually hosted from 8 – 10 May, bringing together the best of Brighton’s festival performances, to enjoy from the safety of your armchair which has already secured 13k followers.”