The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has renewed its appeal for further government support for the UK’s entertainment and hospitality industries amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to Boris Johnson’s televised update to the UK last night (May 10) on lockdown and social distancing measures, a statement shared by the group says that it has "been left again with uncertainty and concern over the details and the exact timeline of when we will be able to open our businesses."
The NTIA represents hundreds of nightclubs, bars, pubs, restaurants and events promoters across the UK. It’s concerned that mention last night of parts of the entertainment and hospitality industries being given the green light to re-open, while observing social distancing guidelines, as early as July could put many already struggling businesses in an even more precarious position, with some unable to break-even while open at reduced capacity.
Michael Kill, the NTIA’s CEO, said: "We recognise the challenges around balancing the measures to safeguard public health against securing the protection of the economy, but the NTE and events sector will collapse under any proposed restrictions on business capacity, enforced physical distancing, increased resource costs, additional high level PPE, bringing into question not only the viability of businesses but whether this is something that can be managed within these spaces.
"The Government must engage with the sector, at the right levels to understand and effect sector-specific recommendations, with a clear timeline and comprehensive re-engagement strategy, supported by an extended financial support provision, through sector specific furlough and grants. Without this we will see 50% of these businesses fail and over two million jobs lost."
The government is yet to specify which businesses within the entertainment and hospitality sector might be able to re-open in July. Johnson did say in last night’s address however that the country will only be able to move into that phase if a number of other measures are satisfied.
