The Corn Hall - Loving local

Lee Johnson, Operations Manager of The Corn Hall, looks beyond the ‘new normal’ and into a ‘new future’ for arts venues and other local businesses.

“What strange times we find ourselves in. This year has been like no other in living memory. Lockdowns came and went. And came again. We were told it would take 12 weeks to turn the tide on COVID-19. Then 12 weeks turned into 12 months and only now are we seeing any turning of the tide. But, even now, we must be careful as we dip our toes back into the water. The tide could come rushing back at any moment and that’s something no one wants.

“When COVID-19 hit, businesses across the country ground to a halt. Family and friends stopped seeing each other. And the term ‘new normal’ appeared. But what is this ‘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. “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 the UK that had a Christmas show and for that we’re extremely grateful. And, although immediately after that we closed as part of Tier 4 restrictions and another national lockdown, behind the scenes we’ve been busy. We were successful with the ‘Act Now! @ The Corn Hall’ project. We continued to deliver our ‘Time With Friends’ sessions online. And we were busy working on applications for the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund, in which we were successful. There’s also another exciting community project coming out, but we’re keeping that one under wraps for now.

“COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on many and we must play our part in helping remember those who lost loved ones. But the pandemic has also given us an opportunity to reflect, to adapt and change, and to be ‘new future’ ready.”

Lee Johnson Operations Director at The Corn Hall