Preston's Switch nightclub given last-minute go-ahead to reopen tonight

In a sudden u-turn, Preston City Council has given the green light for Switch to reopen as planned this evening (Saturday, August 1).

The Council said the decision was made after it sought "expert external legal advice" which confirmed that the club are in fact legally able to reopen, despite Government guidance to the contrary.

Councillor Peter Moss, deputy leader and cabinet member for planning and regulations, said: "In order to clarify Government's guidance we received Friday July 31 regarding Switch, today we have sought expert external legal advice, and been in further dialogue with the operator of Switch.

"This advice has just come back to inform us that Switch is legally able to repurpose and reopen accordingly.

"This is on the strict basis that Switch proceeds with the agreed safety precautions and do not allow dancing in the venue, the venue is now free to reopen this evening.

"We appreciate this is a very different position to what we announced earlier.

"Officers have been working tirelessly to resolve the situation in the best way.

"We do ask all patrons who attend to take the safety precautions very seriously, to prevent further spread of coronavirus in Preston."

Environmental Health Officers from Preston City Council have been working with the operator of Switch to provide clear advice on safely reopening according to venue plans to repurpose.

Yesterday the Council received strong Government guidance that night clubs were not able to legally reopen.

To verify this guidance, the City Council requested urgent external legal advice which came back late this afternoon indicating that despite the Government guidance the venue is able to legally reopen.