Simon HuxtableIndustry leaders from across the Night Time Economy have called on all music fans and nightlife lovers to take part in a new parliamentary inquiry on Covid-19 and the Night Time Economy.
The survey can be accessed here.
After the successful launch of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Night Time Economy in December, the group of cross-party MPs and Peers met again yesterday to continue crucial discussions on the challenges facing the nightlife sector due to Covid-19 and the ensuing restrictions.
The meeting was attended by several representatives from the Night Time Economy, including the Night Time Industries Association, UK Hospitality, UK Music, Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy advisor for Greater Manchester and Amy Lamé, the Night Czar of the City of London.
The APPG has 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.
Speaking at the APPG meeting, Michael Kill, NTIA Chief Exec, noted that the sector had been decimated by the pandemic and is in desperate need of a clear exit strategy. “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.”
“The night time economy is a key component of the hospitality sector. Two thirds of town centre revenue is generated after 6pm and one third after 10pm,” said Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, “For almost a whole year, our hospitality businesses have traded below profitability and just 1 in 5 have enough cash to get beyond February. Businesses cannot plan, cannot negotiate with landlords, and cannot see a way out of this crisis while they have no certainty about when they will reopen, the conditions in which they reopen, and the support available.”
Chaired by Jeff Smith, Labour MP for Manchester Withington and Secretariat services, the APPG for the Night Time Economy is made up cross-party parliamentarians from all major political parties. It was formed in December 2020 to provide a voice for the Night Time Economy in Parliament and promote the cultural and economic importance of nightlife to the UK. The APPG inquiry into Covid-19 and the Night Time Economy was launched on the 11th January and will be accepting evidence submissions until the 31st January.
