Industry leaders call on nightlife fans to submit evidence to Parliamentary inquiry

22-Jan-2021 - Last updated on 22-Jan-2021 at 12:09 GMT

Related tags Night time economy Coronavirus Government

Industry leaders from across the night-time economy have called on the public to take part in a recently launched Parliamentary inquiry into the devastating impact of Covid-19 on British nightlife.

Earlier this month the recently-formed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Night Time Economy launched an urgent inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on UK nightlife and is investigating how the sector can reopen and recover from the pandemic.

Now, industry leaders from across the sector have urged all music fans, nightlife lovers and night-time economy workers to take part.

An industry-wide online survey has been launched by the APPG and is asking for employers, employees, freelancers and consumers to take part and share their views on how the sector has been affected by the pandemic and its importance to the cultural and economic life of the UK.

The survey has already received several thousand responses, which will help to provide those in Government a greater understanding of nightlife industries and the specific challenges facing the sector.

Yesterday (21 January), cross-party MPs and Peers that make up the APPG met to continue crucial discussions on the challenges facing the nightlife sector due to Covid-19 and the ensuing restrictions.

Several representatives from the night-time economy attended the meeting, including the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA); UKHospitality; UK Music; Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy advisor for Greater Manchester; and Amy Lamé, the Night Czar of the City of London.

Speaking to the APPG, NTIA CEO Michael Kill noted that the sector had been decimated by the pandemic and is in desperate need of a clear exit strategy.

He said: “Commercial rents have been a travesty, with over 70% of businesses within the sector in more than two quarters of rent arrears and with debts mounting day by day.

"Time is running out and there seems to be no rush to find a resolution.”

”We are overwhelmed by the support that the APPG has received in a very short period of time and look forward to analysing the results from the inquiry to present a formal report to the Government. We ask all those who work in the night-time economy, or simply enjoy a night out, to continue sending in your responses to our survey to make your voices heard.”

To access the survey and submit evidence, click here.