86,000 jobs have been lost in the nightlife sector due to the pandemic
The industry is estimated to have lost £36 billion between March 2020 and June 2021
A new study has revealed that 86,000 people have lost their jobs within the nightlife industry since 2019
The report, commissioned by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), highlighted the value of the nightlife economy in 2019 - which was 1.6% of GDP (£36.4 billion).
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The industry is thought to have lost proportionally more jobs than similar sectors, with the estimate for loss of trade between March 2020 and June 2021 standing at around £36bn, with roughly 86,000 job losses.
Industry leaders fear the discoveries from the study could have long-term ramifications for the industry, with concerns that jobs lost could be gone for good — as businesses close and demand for nightlife services fall.
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The report also highlighted the impact of the nighttime economy beyond business, with benefits such as community cohesion, a social sense of belonging and positive impacts on mental health and wellbeing.
Micheal Kill, CEO of the NTIA, said the figures uncovered a need for more support from the government: “It is crucial the Chancellor use the upcoming Budget to support this beleaguered sector."
"We are calling for him to extend the 12.5% rate of VAT on hospitality until 2024, include door sales in that reduced rate of VAT, because the present system punishes nightclubs that rely on door sales rather than selling tickets, and for him to ensure there are no increases in Alcohol Duties – our sector really cannot afford any additional burdens.”
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Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester and Co Founder of The Warehouse Project, and Parklife said: "We’re in a dire position and in order to recover to pre-pandemic levels, we need investment, strategy and most importantly, top level acknowledgment of the industry’s contribution to the UK economy.
"Take any city, town or village in the UK, and you’ll find its pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants are central to its recovery. The nightlife scene is critical to our post-Brexit, post-Covid future and economic growth, and to ignore it would be a devastating blow to our cultural reputation."
Read the full findings of the report here.
Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter