"81% of UK nightclubs will not survive past February" without government support

A leading industry body has warned that "nightclubs will go extinct" unless they receive government support.

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) says that 81 per cent of UK nightclub businesses will not survive past February unless the government steps in.

A survey of over 100 clubs by the NTIA revealed that:

- 81 per cent of nightclubs in the UK say they won't survive past February without further support from the government

- 88 per cent of nightclubs in the UK have over 2 months rent arrears, with 50 per cent having over 3 months rent arrears at the start of January

- 86 per cent of nightclubs have made redundancies with over 65 per cent making over 60 per cent of their workforce redundant before the end of 2020

- 43 per cent of the nightclubs surveyed have not received any grant support from the government

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The NTIA says that a lack of appropriate financial support for the nightclub sector from the government isn't the only factor putting venues at risk. They are also under threat of proposed changes to planning laws that would allow landlords to convert venues into housing, inability for venues to access finance from financial institutions and a lack of transparent exit strategy for the re-opening of the sector in line with the government vaccination rollout.

Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA, said: "We are on the cusp of losing a cultural institution, the government has ignored the sector and failed to recognise its economic and cultural value.

"We are a world leader in electronic music and clubs - and have been a breeding ground for contemporary music talent, events and DJs for decades. Nightclubs have made a huge contribution to our culture sector and are renowned globally

"Throughout this pandemic and the restrictive measures levied against the sector, it is clear that these businesses are being systematically eradicated from society. As they continue to be excluded from the narrative of press announcements and planning, and through misconceptions and misguided understanding of the sector, from age old stereotyping the sector has been given little or no opportunity to re engage even with very clear ability to open spaces safely."

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Business and industry groups such as the NTIA and trade unions are currently calling on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to support UK business in the run up to his budget speech on March 3.

The Chancellor has previously said that those working in industries devastated by the coronavirus pandemic should retrain and get a new job.

[Image via Adam Tee]

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