As a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Night Time Economy, I am encouraging all Carshalton and Wallington music fans and night-time lovers to share their views in a Parliamentary survey on nightlife.
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 last week to continue crucial discussions on the challenges facing the nightlife sector due to COVID-19 and the ensuing restrictions.
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. An industry-wide online survey has been launched by the APPG and is asking for employers, employees, freelancers and consumers to take part and submit evidence to the group on how the sector has been affected by the pandemic and its importance to the cultural and economic life of the UK.
Throughout the pandemic, I have been contacted by so many people who are affected by the closure of late night venues – those who work there, and those who enjoy going to them, including people concerned about the long-term impact on the UK dance music campaign. Hence why I am encouraging all Carshalton and Wallington residents to share their views on the nightlife sector to tell the Government what nightlife means to them.
I was pleased to lead a debate in Westminster on this very issue last year, where I highlighted the impact that COVID continues to have on clubs, festivals, gigs, and the wider live events industry such as theatres like the Cryer Arts Centre in Carshalton.
An industry-wide online survey has been launched by the APPG and is asking for employers, employees, freelancers and consumers to take part and submit evidence to the group on how the sector has been affected by the pandemic and its importance to the cultural and economic life of the UK.
I am working closely with industry representatives from the UK hospitality sector – including pub chains like Young’s and Stonegate and nightclubs like Heaven in central London where I know some local residents work – to raise their concerns with the Government.
I also discussed the need for greater support with the Chancellor and the Minister for Small Business – Paul Scully, the Member of Parliament for Sutton and Cheam – earlier this week, and I am seeking further meetings with Ministers as soon as possible.
In the meantime, I have written again to the Chancellor as a member of the APPG Night Time Economy to make representations on behalf of everyone affected, and have asked him to consider:
- sector-specific grant schemes relating to the size and operating costs of each individual business;
- extending the furlough scheme, Business Rates Relief, and reduced VAT rate;
- Government-backed solutions to the commercial rent crisis to alleviate the burden of backdated rental payments;
- a clear ‘roadmap to recovery’ for the sector, including a clear timeline and a proactive consumer confidence campaign to stimulate and re-engage the market.
You can read a copy of my letter to the Chancellor below, and you can access the survey here: www.ntia.co.uk/appg
Photo by Zac Bromell on Unsplash.
