Research by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Night Time Economy (NTE) – of which Norwich South MP Clive Lewis is a member – has concluded that businesses operating in the night-time sector are “at serious risk of becoming extinct”. The report ‘Covid 19 and UK nightlife’ focuses on pubs, bars, clubs, live music venues, supply chain businesses and self-employed people in the sector.

The analysis also reveals that a third of the sector’s workforce have already been made redundant. Also, 85% of people still working in the industry are thinking of leaving.

Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South said

“I am hugely worried that if these businesses go under, our city-centre could become a ghost town. That’s why our APPG is calling on the government to provide extra, targeted support for Night Time Economy workers and businesses. This needs to continues until the sector can fully re-open and could mean extra grants and extending furlough and the business rates relief scheme.”

The full report ‘Covid 19 and UK nightlife’ is available for download here: https://www.ntia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/APPG-Inquiry-Covid-19-and-UK-Nightlife-no-watermark.pdf

Norwich pubs like The Murderers have been forced to close by Government for weeks now. Photo © Julian Swainson