The UK's first 'dedicated socially distanced' music venue is here - this is how it will work

• The Virgin Money Unity Arena will be the UK's first "dedicated socially distanced music venue".
• 500 viewing platforms are available at the arena, each spaced two meters apart.
• The venue will be open between August and September and will be home to live music, entertainment and comedy events.

Virgin Money has announced the launch of the UK's first "dedicated socially distanced music venue". 

With many countries practising social distancing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, several live events have been put on hold until a time when it is safer to gather in large numbers. 

But the Virgin Money Unity Arena offers a different approach - a way to ensure that social distancing laws are still followed while allowing people to gather and enjoy live music once again. 

The venue will be set up in Newcastle and will showcase "a stellar line-up of live music, entertainment and comedy," a tweet from the company's official account explains. 

The Virgin Money Unity Arena website offers a full breakdown of how the venue will work. 

Get your tickets

If you're interested in attending an event at the venue, the first order of business is to buy a ticket online. Customers are asked for their car registration and are then given a time slot in which they are expected to arrive on the day of the show. 

Arriving at the venue

On arrival, customers will be expected to show security staff their booking confirmation email and will then be directed to their parking spot. From there, they will be asked to join a socially distanced queue that will take them inside the arena. 

Viewing areas

Inside the venue, customers will be guided to their viewing platforms. According to The Guardian, the venue has 500 viewing platforms that overlook an outdoor stage. Each household of ticketholders will be assigned their own platform. Platforms are spaced two meters apart, and the arena can hold a maximum of 2500 people. 

Food and drinks

Food and drinks can be purchased online ahead of the show and will be collected upon arrival. Alternatively, customers can order food on the website on the day of the show, and it will be delivered to their platform. 

The Virgin Money Unity Arena will be open between August and September, and a concert line-up is expected to be announced on Tuesday 7 July. 

Compiled by Nikita Coetzee (Source: The Guardian)

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