Night-time economy could face extinction without government help
York Theatre Royal says the industry needs clarity and more support
Many nightclubs and music venues will not survive the pandemic without urgent Government intervention, MPs have warned.
The night-time economy has been particularly hard-hit during the Covid-19 crisis, with many venues having been shut since last March.
On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson hinted during a Downing Street press conference that rapid testing could be used to help venues like nightclubs reopen.
Now, a group of 40 MPs has issued a report warning that 85% of people working in the night-time economy are considering leaving the industry and 78% of those employed in the sector have at some point been on furlough.
MP Jeff Smith, a former DJ and chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Night Time Economy, said city centres will become 'ghost towns' without action.
"Our world-leading nightclubs, pubs, bars, and live music venues are cornerstones of our communities. They drive so much economic activity both locally and nationally, and bring hope, joy and entertainment to millions across the UK.
"Our findings today reveal this industry is on its knees, in desperate need of additional support from the Government and a concrete plan for reopening,'' he said.
"Without these interventions, many of these viable businesses will go under, leaving city and town centres resembling ghost towns.
"If the Government is serious about its 'levelling up' agenda it must act now to save this sector and avoid untold damage to the social fabric of this country.''
We spoke to Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal, Tom Bird, who is feeling more positive about the year ahead:
"I'm actually really excited about the year coming up.
"I think a lot of theatres have spent the time we've been closed doing amazing stuff.
"So, lots of things I thought I would never see and would never happen, have happened.
"So I know the seemingly impossible is doable."
But he says the sector needs clarity from the government:
"We feel as an organisation very strongly that we have so much we would like to do and can do for this city and people of this city.
"We just want to know when we can do it."