Falkirk nightclub boss warns of bleak future in plea for vital funding help

Nightclub bosses in Falkirk have issued a desperate calls for financial help.
City Nightclub exterior.City Nightclub exterior.
City Nightclub exterior.

Castle Leisure Group, who owns City in Falkirk, says it has made “no headway” 'with the Scottish Government in creating plans to re-open - after being shut for more than 10 months.

The company, which also has clubs in Stirling and Edinburgh, has been operating nightclubs and late-night music venues since 1981.

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Paul Smith, managing director, described the lack of engagement from officials as “galling”, and said allowing clubs to open up would stem a wave of job losses feared when the furlough scheme ends.

He warned the nightclub industry is facing a bleak future and fears venues could be shutdown for good because of the lack of support.

Mr Smith said: "Some of our trade associations reckon that up to 70 per cent of hospitality businesses may not recover from the pandemic.

"If it's bleak for hospitality in general, it's even bleaker for the nightclubs.

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"We were first to close and we will be the last to re-open and still we do not have a re-opening plan or a pathway, despite the sector's best efforts to speak to Westminster and Scottish governments about a re-opening strategy.

"We've put forward ideas and initiatives and we're willing to discuss them but they've not engaged in any meaningful way."

He said that “enough is enough” and clubs needed urgent help to survive.

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Mr Smith added: "We have a very rich cultural scene here, not just in terms of hospitality but live music venues and nightclubs too, and it's being ignored.

"It will be devastating if we lose that.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Nightclubs are eligible for 100 per cent non-domestic rates relief in 2020-21.

"Our Strategic Framework Business Fund further pays monthly grants of up to £3,000 for businesses required by law to close and up to £2,100 for those that can remain open but are required by law to modify their operations.

"Earlier this month, the finance secretary also announced an additional top-up payment for hospitality, retail and leisure businesses - including nightclubs - which in some cases doubles or triples the amount of support we are providing.”

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