Shortage of bouncers puts nightclub reopenings at risk

A shortage of bouncers could put nightclub reopenings at risk.

Only 40 per cent of door supervisor positions are currently filled ahead of the June 21 reopening of nightclubs and other large scale events.

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The Telegraph reports that there's been an "exodus" of bouncers in the wake of Brexit and the pandemic.

The impact of coronavirus on the nighttime economy has forced door staff to find jobs in other industries while it's believed that uncertainty caused by Brexit as well as the pandemic has led international security workers to return home.

A quarter of the UK's security workforce is made up of non-UK nationals coming mainly from Pakistan, Nigeria, Italy, Poland, Nepal and Romania.

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Those who have found work in other industries aren't sure if they'll return to the nightlife sector because of the shorter hours and lower pay.

The current lack of bouncers in the nightlife industry means that six in 10 door supervisor positions may not be filled by June 21 which the UK Door Security Association says could put the reopening of nightclubs in danger.

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The organisation is also campaigning to delay rules that mean that training to become a licensed door supervisor becomes more lengthy and complicated.

Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, told press that "we rely heavily on licensed door supervisors to keep staff and customers safe. With the additional responsibility of public health … it is even more important that we remove barriers to ensure that we are able to fulfil the resource requirement.”

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