Why two Harborough landmarks were lit up in red last night

The Old Grammar School was bathed in red light during Tuesday evening for the 'light it red' campaign to help the plight of all the freelance workers in the entertainment industry as part of a nationwide protest and petition.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — The Old Grammar School was bathed in red light during Tuesday evening for the 'light it red' campaign to help the plight of all the freelance workers in the entertainment industry as part of a nationwide protest and petition. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Two iconic landmarks in Market Harborough town centre were lit up a stunning blood red to highlight a national workers’ Covid-19 campaign.

The Old Grammar School and Harborough Theatre were bathed in red for an hour on Tuesday night to back the growing 'Light it Red" battle.

The highly-evocative gesture went ahead to flag up the serious plight of cash-strapped freelance workers in the entertainment industry.

Harborough Theatre and the Old Grammar School were bathed in red light during Tuesday evening for the 'light it red' campaign to help the plight of all the freelance workers in the entertainment industry as part of a nationwide protest and petition.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Harborough Theatre and the Old Grammar School were bathed in red light during Tuesday evening for the 'light it red' campaign to help the plight of all the freelance workers in the entertainment industry as part of a nationwide protest and petition. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

And the 60-minute performance to publicise their struggle was carried out by East Midlands Events Service, based at Tur Langton, near Market Harborough.

Conor Robb, 22, one of the company’s directors, said: “It was a very powerful thing to do.

“We lit up the Old Grammar School and the theatre from 9pm-10pm and it’s gone down really well.

“We acted as part of a national event – with key buildings being lit up in cities like London, Manchester and Glasgow.

“We have had huge feedback from people telling us that they didn’t realise what we do – and how much workers are struggling.”

He said they are striving to battle back after being forced to close down when the coronavirus lockdown was imposed on Monday March 23.

“We light up venues such as theatres and cinemas as well as music gigs and festivals.

“But, of course, they have been shut or cancelled as well and are only very slowly starting to make a comeback,” said Conor, who’s from Market Harborough.

Harborough Theatre was bathed in red light during Tuesday evening for the 'light it red' campaign to help the plight of all the freelance workers in the entertainment industry as part of a nationwide protest and petition.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Harborough Theatre was bathed in red light during Tuesday evening for the 'light it red' campaign to help the plight of all the freelance workers in the entertainment industry as part of a nationwide protest and petition. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“We have four full-time staff and we’ve been able to keep them all on although it’s not been easy.

“But we feel so bad for thousands of vital freelance workers in the entertainments industry who are finding it so tough.

“They need to be supported more by the Government – perhaps put on furlough schemes themselves.

“These guys work away behind the scenes making everything happen – but people don’t know what they do and how critical they are.

“Many of these people have families and mouths to feed and they need all the help they can get in this extraordinary time.”

The campaign’s hashtag is #WEMAKEEVENTS

“We’ll go on battling away for our fantastic freelance workers.

“And we are already looking ahead to bouncing back even stronger in 2021 as we all get back on our feet,” vowed Conor.