'We are aiming for full speed ahead' Nightlife venues prepare for summer reopening as easing of lockdown is announced

It has been one of the sectors that have been closed the longest under Government restrictions, with nightclubs having not opened their doors in almost 12 months.

The nightlife sector, which includes clubs and live music venues have been some of the hardest-hit businesses but were finally given a glimpse of hope on Monday when Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his roadmap out of lockdown.

And in the final stage of the four-step plan, the final sectors of the economy such as nightclubs will be able to reopen, with measures on large events and performances also lifted no earlier than June 21.

The news comes as the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Night-Time Economy, a cross-party group of more than 40 MPs, warned that the sector is at risk of ‘extinction’ unless the Government takes urgent action.

Pete Alexander, owner of Blitz nightclub, Church Row, said the possible reopening in June is welcome news but without funding granted to them by the arts council, the venue would have been 'on its knees'.

He said: "We always thought it was going to be September when we eventually reopened because we thought everyone would have had to have had the vaccine before coming to live venues.

"Social distancing rules just don't work in nightlife venues like ours. We open as both a music venue and a night club and back in summer last year, tried a few small scale events with a reduced capacity which made us just lose money. We have to be able to run at full capacity when we reopen again to make a success of it.

"We were very lucky last year that we applied for funding through the arts council which has just about carried us through, and without it we would have been on our knees. I don't know how other nightlife venues have survived without any funding.

"After the announcement, we are now aiming for full speed ahead at the end of June and hoping we will be able to reopen. We just want to open our doors and get business booming again."

To help make venues and customers safe, he added that he would welcome the possible introduction of the new vaccine passports.

It is thought that the passports could be deployed as part of the road map out of lockdown as the proposal could see people forced to show a document proving they have had a coronavirus jab before entering a venue.

He said: "We can't carry on like this, we need to open to continue driving the economy and to make Preston a place that people want to visit. The day time and night-time economy need to work closely together and contribute to one another to drive everything forward.

"We are hoping that the government starts to handhold businesses through the next 12 months at least and offers assistance to help them build themselves back up again, considering the financial difficulties that every night venue has faced.

"It is like starting a business again from scratch and we are at the stage where nightlife venues need to re-establish themselves and get back on their feet."

And David Billington, who manages tickets and events with partner Tracey at Preston's Riva Showbar, Tithebarn Street, has already begun arranging events for the end of June, with a grand opening running at halved capacity for May 22, where the venue will operate as a bar.

He said: "I think the announcement is wonderful news because we have been open and closed that many times in the pandemic. This will be our third time having planned to host our opening night we have had cancelled three times over the past 18 months. Hopefully this time it'll go ahead because the tickets are already flying.

"Any form of government support will be welcome after what we have all been through. I have lost a lot of money not being open and it just can't carry on like this. We have had no help from the government, people's debts are going up and up because people are throwing their whole lives into their businesses to keep them going.

"It will still take years for venues to get back up and running properly again and make up for what they have lost. Every company should be given financial help to keep their heads above water. We need to get back up to speed."

And Matt Taylor, site director of Trilogy Nightclub, Blackpool, said: "This is fantastic news and not only does it give us hope that our business will be open in June and being able to give people great nights out but also hope it’s positive steps towards our economy and industry recovering.

"Any support is welcomed to our industry and hope that the Government extend rates relief and the monthly grants till we can open.

"We can’t wait to welcome customers and show them what we have created at the same time as bringing more new jobs to Blackpool."

The opening on June 21 would be the first time venues have welcomed customers inside since March 2020 except for a small few that re-opened as bars during the summer.

Popular Preston nightclub Evoque shut fell victim to the financial strain of the pandemic and shut permanently last November with the local black cab drivers also admitting it had been decimated by the Covid pandemic and reduction of night life.

Mark Whittle, Preston BID manager said: "Hospitality has had a real load to bear in terms of restrictions and limitations on trade. Whilst the support in place has been useful, it must continue to be available until all the sector can legally, and profitably, re-open their doors.

"We are hopeful that by the late spring, Preston’s leisure sector is able to burst back to life and allow patrons to excitedly return to our venues.

"Apart from a small window in the summer of last year, trade has been non-existent for most. We look forward to seeing the city centre busy once again with people enjoying our award-winning hospitality.

"We’ll be working closely with venue operators and the authorities to maximise opportunities for a safe and effective re-opening."

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) published the findings of its recent inquiry into the impact of Covid and are urging Chancellor Rishi Sunak to bring forward a sector-specific grant package and a detailed roadmap for reopening the sector to avoid ‘irreversible losses’ that would create ‘ghost towns’ across the country and hinder the wider economic recovery.

The report looked at the impact of the pandemic and Government support for businesses in the night-time economy, including night clubs, bars, pubs, live music venues, festivals, and supply chain businesses.

And their survey of over 20,000 consumers, employers, employees, and freelancers in the sector found that 85 per cent of people working in the night-time economy are considering leaving the industry.

It also revealed that in the second half of 2020, businesses in the night-time economy traded at an average of 28 per cent of their annualised pre-Covid turnover.

Jeff Smith MP, Chair of the APPG and a former self-employed DJ, warned that the prospect of many night-time economy businesses going bust would leave town and city centres across the country looking like ‘ghost towns’, noting the important role these spaces play in local economies and communities.

He said: “Our world-leading night clubs, pubs, bars, and live music venues are cornerstones of our communities. They drive so much economic activity both locally and nationally and bring hope, joy and entertainment to millions across the UK.

"Our findings reveal this industry is on its knees, in desperate need of additional support from the Government and a concrete plan for reopening. Without these interventions, many of these viable businesses will go under, leaving city and town centres resembling ghost towns.

"If the Government is serious about its ‘levelling up’ agenda it must act now to save this sector and avoid untold damage to the social fabric of this country.

Kate Nicholls OBE, CEO UK Hospitality, said: "Nightclubs have been closed for almost an entire year with precious little for them to look forward to. We cannot underestimate the contribution these businesses make both socially and economically.

"Nightclubs are charismatic businesses and they are the proving grounds for the country’s budding musical talent. We stand to lose a huge amount if we lose our nightclubs.

"The report makes for sobering reading – particularly worrying is the statistic that 85% of workers are considering leaving – but it also provides the Government with a plan to save this sector. The report provides a clear plan to lay the groundwork for the recovery, of this important part of our economy and culture.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by ​clicking here.