Nightclubs ordered to close for three weeks
It comes after two days of talks with the Scottish Government.
Last updated 23rd Dec 2021
Nightclubs have been told they must close for three weeks from 27th December as part of new measures to slow the spread of the Omicron variant in Scotland.
Deputy First Minister made the announcement as he gave evidence to Holyrood's Covid committee.
It follows days of speculation from club owners over what the future looks like for their businesses.
They were not directly addressed in the First Minister's restrictions announcement on Tuesday and the industry had been querying the wording of the new rules which kick in after Christmas because they only referred to events.
Mr Swinney said: "Having engaged with the sector we now propose that nightclubs close for this three week period.
"While it would be open to them to open with distancing and table survive, and that will remain an option, we consider that closure in regulation combined with financial support may reduce loses and help these businesses weather what we hope will be a short period until they are able to operate normally again."
Glasgow nightclub owner Donald MacLeod said: "They make it up as they go along. They've forgotten to put nightclubs in and it's like 'oh, Wales and Northern Ireland have put nightclubs in, we better do the same'. They just make it up as they go!
"It's disgraceful and it's insulting and their economic strategy is pulled out a Christmas cracker for sure.
"The thing that makes me most angry is all my staff. They must be absolutely terrified about when they are going to get paid, how much they are going to be paid and how long they are going to be paid for. It truly is the nightmare before Christmas.
"What is really contentious is that we are still waiting for the guidance. No one knows what they are doing and the regulations still haven't been published. They should be release and ready to go at the same time as the announcements are made.
"This is supposed to be the most profitable time of our year, the time that sets us up for the rest of the year and it's just gone... frittered away."
Gavin Stevenson, Vice-Chair NTIA Scotland, said: "It is regrettable that Scottish Government have felt it necessary to close nightclubs for three weeks from 27th December. Our team have been in close dialogue with government officials in recent days, as the regulations already being implemented across the late night and hospitality sectors, such as 1m social distancing and all seated table service, would prevent most nightclubs from operating in a way that was commercially viable.
Scottish Government's announcement today provides additional support for those nightclub premises who are unable to repurpose and trade as a bar, while also allowing those who can repurpose to stay open. This represents a pragmatic compromise, and we are grateful to Ministers and Civil Servants for taking the concerns of the sector into account and committing to additional funding for those businesses.
We await further details of the additional support which will now be made available, and would urge Minister's to ensure that the new closure grants are proportionate to the scale of need so as to ensure the survival of hard pressed Scottish businesses and protect the jobs of staff who rely on them.”