The inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Night Time Economy has published its report to be presented to the Government.

Amongst the key findings of the APPG report:

• Without urgent government support, nightlife businesses face ‘extinction’ that will see urban centres become ‘ghost towns’ and hobble wider economic recovery.
• 85% of people working in the sector are considering leaving the industry.
• 78% of all employees in the sector had at some point been on furlough.
• Businesses in the night time economy had on average made 37% of their total workforce redundant - nightclubs: 51%; bars: 32%; pubs: 26%; live music venues: 36%; supply chain businesses: 40%.
• In the second half of 2020, businesses in the night time economy traded at an average of 28% of their annualised pre-Covid turnover - nightclubs: 20%; bars: 32%; pubs: 43%; live music venues: 28%; supply chain businesses: 19%.
• Only 36% of self-employed nightlife workers have been able to claim the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

The report calls on the Prime Minister and Chancellor to take a series of measures if the sector is to have a chance of recovering to its pre-pandemic strength, thereby playing an integral role in our wider economic recovery. These measures include:

• Extending the furlough scheme until businesses can operate without restrictions, and extending VAT and business rates relief through 2021.
• Producing a roadmap for reopening late night venues based on the vaccination programme and mass testing.
• Expanding eligibility for the Culture Recovery Fund and proving a sector-specific support package for the sector.
• Providing a government-backed insurance scheme and a solution to spiralling commercial rent debt.
• Providing a Treasury-backed campaign to drive consumer demand in the sector when safe to do so.