Petition To Save Adelaide Venues Calls Out SA Government - "We Need Your Support"

An online petition rallying financial relief for the Adelaide live arts industry has slammed the SA Government's lack of support as venues and entertainment centres.

Local industry member Craig Lock - who co-owns Five Four Entertainment, Plus One Co. and Lion Arts Factory - started the petition to call on local representatives to hear the voices of those who are struggling without governmental backing.

"Since COVID-19 hit Australia in March 2020, these businesses have been severely affected, with trading levels plummeting to between 0-10% of our normal operations over the past 18+ months," Lock wrote online.

"At this moment in time, two of these businesses, Five Four Entertainment and Lion Arts Factory, are 6 months or less away from bankruptcy and closing."

He continued, "To make matters more impossible, we are still being charged 100% rent on our lease on the Lion Arts Factory from our landlords, the South Australian state government, despite state-based restrictions making it nearly impossible to trade. 

"Further and most pressing, our lease is slated to end in December 2021, and we have been given no answers as to a long-term lease extension despite extensive discussions with staff at the Department of Premier and Cabinet for the past 18 months."

The petition, which has over 3,500 signatures at the time of writing, outlines further financial planning which could help see Lock's businesses and the industry at large gain more confidence and stability in these uncertain times.

"We are calling on the industry and public to help support us by aiding us in our call on The South Australian Premier and Minister for the Arts Steven Marshall to support us in this time with the support necessary to keep the businesses afloat," Lock added.

"We are not being seen or heard and we need your support to amplify our voice and show the government that the public care about the venues and events we have worked tirelessly to build over the last 10 years."

To read the full petition and financial outlining, head to Lock's campaign here.