NTIA Say End to Debilitating Plan B will Boost Consumer Confidence but Further Government Support Needed to Survive

Following the PM’s announcement that people will no longer be advised to work from home, wear face coverings in indoor venues, and that organisations will be able to choose whether to require NHS Covid Passes for entry to venues,

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, says:

“Businesses across the night time economy will celebrate the withdrawal of Plan B restrictions on the 27th January. In particular, we will celebrate the withdrawal of Covid Passports, which has not only directly impacted trade but has left a legacy of misplaced blame on a sector which fought to avoid the implementation of this debilitating and divisive mitigation. The all-important festive period has seen over a 40% drop-off in trade across the night time economy, with many businesses now concerned that they will struggle to survive beyond February 2022.”

“While we celebrate the end of uncertainty, the real impact of recent months is coming to light, and according to a recent NTIA flash poll individual businesses on average are carrying over £230,000 worth of debt from the pandemic. It is vitally important that the Government allows the night time economy to trade indefinitely, building momentum towards pre-Covid trading levels, as well as building customer confidence. Flexibility around planning and licensing must be considered to give businesses the best opportunity to diversify and maximise trading capacity, which in turn will expedite the sector’s financial recovery.”

“We urge the Government to consider long term relief and financial support, with proportionate grants and the extension of VAT & business rates relief, to combat cost inflation and short-term cash flow issues following the poor festive trading period.”