UK nightclubs could become ‘extinct’ says NTIA

The UK’s 1,400-strong nightclub sector could become “extinct” due to government restrictions to tackle Covid-19, according to the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA).

“Nightclubs have made a huge contribution to our culture sector and are renowned globally,” according to Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA

In a statement issued this morning, the organisation said that the nation’s 1,400 nightclubs were “reducing daily”, noting that “without a roadmap for reopening and with growing financial pressures from dwindling cash reserves, commercial rent and loan debt, many are being forced to close the doors and hand the keys back”.

Describing the sector as one threatened with extinction, the NTIA recorded that business owners are losing their properties through personal guarantees and have walked away with debts that they are unable to pay back, while commenting that staff are losing their jobs and “the cultural and social hubs of communities are being lost forever”.

Michael Kill, CEO of the NTIA commented, “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.”

He explained, “We are a world leader in electronic music and UK clubs 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.”

Continuing, he said, “Nightclubs are continually excluded from many of funding provisions and fears are growing for their future as we have yet to see a roadmap or exit strategy which directly related to these types of businesses.”

He added, “The Government needs to support nightclubs with a robust financial package which is tailored to support businesses that have been closed since March. We need a roadmap or a direction of travel so that businesses can plan financially and communicate with their workforce, and we need a solution for commercial rent, as many are already overburdened with debt.”

Concluding, he said, “We are already seeing a huge rise in illegal parties in abandoned warehouses across the UK, people are desperate to socially engage, and our sector are desperate to support the Government by delivering Covid Safe environments to stem the increase in illegal unsafe parties, placing additional pressure on Police and emergency service.”

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