Loving local “Despite its many challenges, COVID-19 has demonstrated how resilient, flexible and inherently optimistic people can be. So, instead of ‘new normal’, why not start using ‘new future’? I believe Diss has an exciting new future ahead of it. I’m confident that people will stay local - shopping locally, exploring local culture and arts and using the wide range of leisure facilities we have on our doorstep. “The Corn Hall was one of the few venues in Lee Johnson, Operations Manager of The
the UK that had a Christmas show and for
Corn Hall, looks beyond the ‘new normal’
that we’re extremely grateful. And, although
and into a ‘new future’ for arts venues and
immediately after that we closed as part of
other local businesses.
Tier 4 restrictions and another national lockdown, behind the scenes we’ve been
“What strange times we find ourselves in.
busy. We were successful with the ‘Act Now!
This year has been like no other in living
@ The Corn Hall’ project. We continued to
memory. Lockdowns came and went. And
deliver our ‘Time With Friends’ sessions
came again. We were told it would take 12
online. And we were busy working on
weeks to turn the tide on COVID-19. Then
applications for the second round of the
12 weeks turned into 12 months and only
Culture Recovery Fund, in which we were
now are we seeing any turning of the tide.
successful. There’s also another exciting
But, even now, we must be careful as we dip
community project coming out, but we’re
our toes back into the water. The tide could
keeping that one under wraps for now.
come rushing back at any moment and that’s something no one wants.
“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on many and we must play our part in helping
“When COVID-19 hit, businesses across the
remember those who lost loved ones. But
country ground to a halt. Family and friends
the pandemic has also given us an
stopped seeing each other. And the term
opportunity to reflect, to adapt and change,
‘new normal’ appeared. But what is this
and to be ‘new future’ ready.”
‘new normal’? Face coverings, hand sanitiser, spaced-out seating? I’m actually not a fan of this phrase because, for The Corn Hall (like many other businesses) life the other side of the pandemic will be anything but normal. 14 Diss Matters Summer 2021
Lee Johnson Operations Director at The Corn Hall
