Cancellations across South Yorkshire's hospitality sector could be the 'last straw' for many
We've been speaking to Nick Simmonite from the Sheffield Unight group about 'Mad Friday' and the challenges facing our pubs, bars, and clubs
We're told a lack of financial support over the festive season could be the 'final nail in the coffin' for many businesses in South Yorkshire's hospitality sector.
'Mad Friday' is normally one of the busiest nights of the year for pubs, bars, and clubs.
However, a rise in the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has led to plenty of cancellations at local venues over the festive period-including tonight.
Nick Simmonite is from the Sheffield Unight group-which aims to support the city's night-time community:
"December is usually when we pay the bills. Some businesses can take 30% of their annual trade during the Christmas period, and without that, we're really going to be facing a challenge in the New Year.
"In Sheffield, perhaps the post 6pm night-time industry is all that we've got left.
"We've lost some major, major retail spaces in the city, and a significant number of jobs along with that.
"One in eight jobs in Sheffield is in the night-time economy or supported by the night-time economy, so if we're going to protect jobs, we need to take some action."
Mr. Simmonite believes the answer is for more support financial support to be made available by the Government:
"We can't see a way through Christmas and into the New Year with trade levels winding down like they are doing.
"There will be significant, key businesses who don't manage to exit this very well without some direct support.
"We're looking forward to welcoming that resilient bunch who've jumped through hoops into our venues this weekend, but it isn't going to be enough to pay the bills-we need the Government to step in."