The Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre are to remain closed until the autumn, due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

The Department of Education, Sport and Culture announced today (Wednesday) that all scheduled entertainment and performances up until the end of September, 2020, will be postponed until a later date or cancelled altogether while the venues remain closed, as part of the measures introduced to minimise the spread of the covid-19 virus, which have already led to the cancellation of virtually all of the island’s social and entertainment events for the next few months.

Also, there will be no more acts announced at either of the island’s leading venues until after that time.

This new comes only a week after the Villa Marina were due to announce a concert by UK rock group Supergrass, scheduled to take place at the end of August. It is hoped a new date for the concert will be organised soon.

Among the acts already cancelled or postponed which were scheduled to take place this summer were Robert Plant and Saving Grace, the Halle Orchestra, comedian Jim Davidson and the Bay City Rollers.

Dr Alex Allinson MHK, Minister for the Department of Education, Sport and Culture said:

’I understand that this announcement will be disappointing for many people and I would like to apologise to everyone affected by these cancellations, including the artists themselves who were keen to perform on our Island.

’The health and wellbeing of our community has to be our priority at this time.

’I would like to thank the staff at VillaGaiety for their patience and hard work in booking some headline acts and firmly placing us on the map for all touring groups.

’I ask for your patience as the team liaise with event organisers and try their best to reschedule as many events as possible to new dates when it is safer for customers to attend our venues.

’Rest assured, as soon as we can do so safely, we will reopen our venues and warmly welcome back customers and performers to our stages.’

Those who already hold tickets to an event that is rescheduled are advised that their tickets will remain valid for the new date.

Those unable to attend on the new date will be entitled to a full refund.

The ticketing team will be in touch with customers for each event, as soon there is a new date, to advise and to offer refunds if needed.