Matthew Otridge, one of the managers and directors of The Exchange, and more recently the South West coordinator for the Music Venue Trust, the Culture Recovery Fund “was a major moment for music venues to be recognised along side the theatres, the operas, and the art spaces because it’s always been a bit like, well are music venues just pubs?” Pre-2020, music venues have received a minute amount of funding. To receive support alongside these other aspects of the arts meant they achieved a kind of cultural parity, and although they may not be at the same level, it’s a big step in the right direction.