The Night-Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called on chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide financial support for the industry to prevent the coronavirus crisis from crippling it, ahead of the chancellor announcing new economic measures later today Wednesday (8 July), and as Glasgow’s Sub Club launches Crowdfunder campaign to try and stave off permanent closure.
NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said, “I am calling on the chancellor to put into place the necessary financial support the night-time industry needs to prevent it being crippled or even collapsing due to the impact of covid-19.
There’s a real risk of our sector falling through the gaps of government support within arts and culture. Without a significant package of support from the government, people of all ages will face a future without safe environments to enjoy and express themselves in and we will see an existential growth in illegal, unregulated parties, putting young people at risk.”
The call came as Glasgow’s Sub Club managing director Mike Grieve launched a fund-raise on Crowdfunder to avoid permanent closure.
After closing on 15 March, the club has been retrospectively denied access to the government’s furlough scheme. Lock-down measures have created a shortfall of more than £250,000 in the company’s income for 2020 and it has lost more than £30,000 in furlough payments and been forced to place its 31 staff on unpaid leave.