Landmarks lit up to highlight plight of entertainments industry

* The International Pavilion is turned red by Orb Sound and Lighting Ltd.

* The Town Hall lit up in red last night.

Two of Llangollen's landmark buildings were lit up last night as part of a national initiative to draw attention to the way the entertainments industry has been hit by the coronavirus crisis.

Across the UK over 600 venues where entertainment is usually held registered to take part in the Light It In Red campaign.

And the team from locally-based Orb Sound and Lighting Ltd, who themselves have been badly affected by the enforced cancellation of live entertainment events, put Llangollen Town Hall and The International Pavilion on the list.

Both were lit up brightly lit up in red just after darkness fell last night, the Pavilion most poignantly on what should have been the eve of International Eisteddfod week.

Olli Bentley from Orb said: "This month, the team should have been working hard to support two of the biggest events of the year – the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, and the Llangollen Fringe Festival.

"Sadly, due to the ongoing COVID pandemic both events, along with thousands of other events across the UK, have had to be postponed until next year.

"In the events industry over 25,000 businesses have had to cancel and postpone events due to COVID-19, forcing over half a million workers to lose their income, virtually overnight.

"Inspired by Germany’s ‘Night Of Light 2020’, 645 venues across the UK have registered to take part in the Light It In Red campaign. 

"Each venue was lit up in red to draw attention to the dramatic situation that the events industry is facing, and to highlight to the government that the industry still urgently needs some help, before it’s too late."

He added: "ORB Sound and Lighting Ltd thought it would be appropriate to light up the Royal International Pavilion where the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod would currently be happening, and also the Llangollen Town Hall where the Llangollen Fringe Festival would have been taking place later this month.

"We usually joke with our clients that we’re always the first ones in, and the last ones out of every job. Sadly, this time we were the first ones to become jobless, and we will be the last ones allowed to restart.

"We would like to personally thank both venues for permitting us to light them up and thank the staff at LIME and Llangollen Fringe Festival. We would also like to thank Speeches and Cream Prestige Events, Massey Live and Festival Fireworks for their assistance."