Clive Lewis For Norwich South
I’m a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Night-Time Economy (NTE). We’ve a new report out today called ‘Covid 19 and UK nightlife’ which comes to the conclusion that many businesses operating in the night-time sector are “at serious risk of becoming extinct”. That is a terrifying prospect for pubs, bars, clubs, live music venues, supply chain businesses and self-employed people in the sector.
The analysis also reveals that a third of the sector’s workforce has already been made redundant and that 85% of people still working in the industry are thinking of leaving. You can see more of our results in the attached infographic.
I am hugely worried that if these businesses go under, our city-centre could become a ghost town. That’s why our APPG is calling on the government to provide extra, targeted support for NTE workers and businesses. This needs to continue until the sector can fully re-open and could mean extra grants and extending furlough and the business rates relief scheme.
The full report ‘Covid 19 and UK nightlife’ is available for download here: