Christchurch venue manager Vbase confirms plan to reduce permanent staff by 60%

May 28, 2020

Christchurch City Council owned venues and events company Vbase Limited has today confirmed the outcome of its proposal to reduce permanent staff by 60%.

The proposal was a direct response to the company having endured a 100% loss of event revenue since 17th March and with the forecast slow recovery of the events sector, particularly as it relates to international events, over the next 12 to 18 months.

Following consultation and feedback from staff and other key stakeholders several changes were made to the original proposal resulting in the retention of some additional roles and the disestablishment of others.

Having originally proposed the disestablishment of 45 roles along with the potential for a further nine roles to be disestablished following an internal selection process, the final outcome of the process has confirmed 49 redundancies - represents 60% of permanent staff.

All casual staff and 34 full and part time roles have been retained to support the foreseeable needs of the company and clients.

A statement from the Vbase Board of Directors today advised “we are grateful for the consideration given to the change proposal by all staff. We recognise and respect their professional engagement in the process and support of the company and each other under such challenging circumstances”.

Management is now focussed on supporting the people who will be leaving Vbase over the coming weeks, progressing a programme of business improvement and preparing for a staged re-opening of the venues under COVID-19 Alert Level 1.

Vbase Limited is a Council Controlled Organisation that owns and manages Christchurch Town Hall and Horncastle Arena on behalf of the people of Christchurch and manages Airforce Museum of NZ, Orangetheory Stadium and Hagley Oval on behalf of other venue owners.

Image: Concert at the Horncastle Arena.

28th May 2020 - Te Pae Christchurch secures host of events despite COVID-19 challenges

21st May 2020 - New Zealand events bodies submit industry recovery plan to Government

20th May 2020 - Live Nation to launch socially distanced concerts at Auckland’s The Tuning Fork

17th May 2020 - New Zealand budget includes $265 million for sport and recreation

13th May 2020 - Vbase proposes to reduce permanent staff by 60% in response to the COVID-19 crisis

11th May 2020 - Coronavirus and financial losses push New Zealand Rugby to lay off half its staff

11th May 2020 - Live Nation says no return to ‘full scale’ concerts until 2021 as it looks to drive-in events

4th May 2020 - Theatre impresario Sir Cameron Mackintosh says West End and Broadway shows will be ‘last to go back’

4th May 2020 - Chair named for Christchurch Stadium project

6th April 2020 - Christchurch Council releases video on park safety during COVID-19

5th March 2020 - Approved loan for Hagley Oval lights will see Christchurch benefit from Women’s World Cup

3rd March 2020 - New Zealand Government approves Christchurch stadium funding

10th April 2019 - Orangetheory Fitness franchise takes on naming rights at Christchurch Stadium

24th February 2019 - Public gets first view of restored Christchurch Town Hall

30th January 2019 - Vbase looks forward to sporting events and international concerts

3rd September 2014 - New Hagley Oval Pavilion takes shape

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.