‘I’m able to pay rent every month’: Theatres hailed for fighting in-work poverty

A council is spotlighting theatres and cultural venues across its borough for doing their bit to fight in-work poverty.  

For Living Wage week, which runs from November 4 to 10, Southwark council is celebrating 12 creative businesses which have become London Living Wage employers in the past year.

These include Theatre Peckham, a community theatre in Havil Street.

Lia Blomberg, finance assistant at Theatre Peckham, said: “After graduation, I was working seven days a week, doing a lot of unpaid work to gain experience in the industry. It was really unsustainable.”

Because of the competitive nature of theatre, Ms Blomberg said, many opportunities are unpaid in the industry.

But, she said: “Since working at Theatre Peckham, I’m able to know that I can pay rent every month and cover my bills. 

“I’m even able to have a holiday once in a while. It makes me a better employee; I’m more relaxed because I’m well taken care of, and I can bring that into the office.”

Other organisations that have joined Theatre Peckham in becoming Living Wage employers this year are Blue Elephant Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Method Events, Candoco Dance Company, London Bubble Theatre, Imperial War Museum, Tate Modern, Staffordshire Street CIC, PRS, Peckham Platform, and Intoart.

They form part of the 390 accredited Living Wage employers in Southwark, whose commitment to fair pay resulted in more than 6,600 Southwark workers benefitting from a pay rise last month.

The London Living Wage increased by 70p from £13.15 to £13.85 an hour in October. The rise amounts to an extra £4,700 a year when compared to national minimum wage for low-paid workers, many of whom work in the arts and culture sector.

Cllr John Batteson, cabinet member for climate emergency, jobs and business, said: “Southwark’s arts and culture sector is known internationally for its vibrancy and diversity, with deep roots into communities and our borough’s history. 

“But behind the scenes, too many people are out of pocket in an industry known for being low paying. 

“Together, we are proud to be uplifting thousands of people out of in-work poverty, while building a fairer, more inclusive local economy.”

Newly accredited Living Wage Employers with 250 employees or less in Southwark can get their sign up fees covered by Southwark council. For more information, contact SouthwarkBusinessDesk@southwark.gov.uk

Complete Southwark Council’s Living Wage survey for businesses and be in with a chance to win a £150 voucher from Bermondsey based catering company Grazing 

Apply to become a new London Living Wage employer at www.livingwage.org.uk

Pictured top: From left, Carly Fernandez, James Reed, Marissa McKinnon, Cllr John Batteson, Suzann McLean, Bilan Suliman and Lia Blomberg (Picture: Southwark council)