Warnings of a “threat to public safety” have been made as the nightclub industry becomes the latest victim of the UK’s supply crisis.
After security worker numbers have become depleted when many left the industry for jobs with more preferable hours while nightclubs were closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and the exiting of EU workers also said to have contributed to the problem, industry leaders are now warning that the issue could become a “threat to public safety” as some venues are struggling to find security staff.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) said last month that one in five nightlife and hospitality businesses have had to either close or reduce operating hours due to a shortage of security staff.
However, it said the situation has “deteriorated further” as demand continues to soar from those keen to enjoy a night out following the easing of lockdown measures.
Some estimates suggest that venues are having to pay security staff as much as 25% more.
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“If shortages continue to get worse, there is a very real chance it could become a threat to public safety,” said Michael Kill, Chief Executive Officer of the NTIA.
“Like in other sectors currently seeing shortages, this is a long-term issue and decline in security resources can be tracked back at least three years, but this has been hugely exacerbated by the pandemic with many licensed staff leaving the sector when the bars and clubs closed and now choosing not to return.
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“Brexit hasn’t helped either, but it is far from the only factor at play here.”
Industry leaders are now warning that the issue could become a “threat to public safety” / Credit: Unsplash (Antoine Julien)
Mr Kill has also urged the government to take necessary steps, such as funding training initiatives, streamlining new training requirements, or tackling shortages through legislation, to help “ease the problem”.
The UK’s largest nightclub operator, Rekom UK, and bar chain Revolution has also reported suffering from a shortage of bouncers.
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Nightclubs across the UK aren’t the only venues currently experiencing a shortage of security staff though, as Sacha Lord – Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester – has also previously said that “security staffing was the biggest issue” at this year’s Parklife Festival at Heaton Park back in September.
Lord said it was a struggle to hire the 1,000 security personnel required to cover the 80,000-capacity event, explaining: “We have always taken it for granted that you can send an email to three or four security providers and get our 900-1,000 security staff.
“But this year we had to beg, borrow and steal from all over the country.
“We had to bus them in from north Scotland, Devon and all over [when] normally it is very localised and they come from Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.”
The NTIA has urged the government to take necessary steps to help “ease the problem” / Credit: Pixabay
Lord also added that the 124 security staff working at the Warehouse Project nightclub events – which kicked off last month, and is taking place at Depot Mayfield on Friday and Saturday nights until January – are being paid about 25% more than previously.
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The shortage of bouncers comes after the NTIA has estimated that almost 90,000 jobs have been lost in the UK’s night time and cultural economy since the pandemic began.
The sector was valued at being worth £36 billion in 2019.
The latest staffing squeeze also comes as hospitality venues are being hit by soaring costs, including higher energy bills – which have already led to an estimated 10% increase in costs – according to Sacha Lord.
Featured Image – Flickr
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Take That at the Etihad Stadium – the Manchester boys are ‘back for good’ | Review
Clementine Hall
We’re not saying this was the ‘Greatest Day’ of our lives…but it was certainly up there.
Take That have been taking us all on a trip down memory lane over the past few weeks, bringing The Circus Live back to stadiums across the UK and recreating their record-breaking 2009 tour.
Last night they kicked off their four night run at the Etihad Stadium, and it’s safe to say the much-loved pop trio have absolutely still got it.
In fact, I’d go as far to say that this is the best Gary, Mark and Howard have ever looked, sang, and above all else, danced.
Maybe it’s because this is their first hometown gig in two years, or maybe it’s because I’m extremely biased having grown up listening to Take That in my mum’s car on the way to school.
Either way, I said what I said.
Now as the name suggests, The Circus Live isn’t your average show. There’s a gigantic hot air balloon, a huge mechanical elephant, clown face paint, acrobats, unicycles, fireworks, sparkly costumes, you name it – they’ve got it.
It’s an aggressive assault to the senses, a fantastic fever dream, overstimulation of the highest degree, and I lapped up every single moment.
It’s what I imagine taking a tab of acid feels like before a gig, and if that’s the case then I would recommend doing so.
Of course the boys open the show with ‘Greatest Day’, and from the get go Gary Barlow’s vocals are just as smooth as ever.
After a brief Barry Manilow cover they then showcase their exceptional synchronised choreography during the dance break of ‘Pray’, to which I could almost hear the audible gasps from hundreds of mums in the audience.
All of which, I assume, were transported in that moment back to 1993 when Take That debuted the moves on Top of the Pops.
After a brief pause, Mark Owen leads the lads in ‘Shine’ as they make their way to the second stage in the centre of the stadium. Top hat in hand, Gary on the keys, Howard there purely for vibes – it’s no wonder Morrison’s chose this banger for their advert.
From then on it is simply banger after banger, and it’s clear that they feel very grateful to still be filling out stadiums as Howard particularly gets teary eyed after ‘Never Forget’ is met with roars of applause.
Take That have three more shows left at the Etihad Stadium, and you can still grab some last minute tickets here.
However, if you fancy not moving from your sofa but still want to be a part of the fun – Saturday’s show will be livestreamed across the globe via Amazon Music, so no matter where you are in the world, you can still visit The Circus. Find out more here.
Major DJ forced to pull out of Parklife festival on doctor’s orders
Thomas Melia
A well-known techno and trance DJ will no longer be playing at Parklife this weekend, he’s announced, with just one day to go until his major set.
Anyone heading to Heaton Park over the weekend for Manchester-based festival, Parklife, may notice the lineup looks a little different after one distinctive DJ has pulled out due to doctor’s orders.
Marlon Hoffstadt, who also goes by the moniker ‘DJ Daddy Trance’, was expected to play out on the Matinée stage on Saturday 20 June from 6.30pm – 8pm.
The Germany-based act was taking to the decks right before Manchester’s own Morgan Seatree, who has become recognised for his material which is an ode to house music and is likely to be one of the busiest sets of the weekend.
Hoffstadt had two gigs this weekend; the first being Parklife in Manchester and the second Fête de la Musique in Paris, both of which he has since pulled out of in a newly-published social media announcement.
The Berlin-born music maker has reluctantly called off these upcoming appearances and justified his decision by saying: “As much as I hate missing shows, I need to put my recovery first”.
To much dismay, Hoffstadt received doctor’s advice who deemed him ‘currently not fit to fly’ following surgery, urging him to rest and recover.
Marlon posted today: “I’m so sad to have to share this, but unfortunately I won’t be able to play Parklife in Manchester and Fête de la Musique in Paris this weekend.
“I recently had a surgery and, following my doctor’s advice, I’m currently not fit to fly and need rest and recover.
“I know many of you made plans and were looking forward to it, and I’m so sorry to let you down.
“As much as I hate missing shows, I need to put my recovery first so I can get back to doing what I love as soon as possible.”
As much as the presence of this world-class performer will be missed, there’s still plenty of notable names set to make their mark on Parklife including Zara Larsson, Calvin Harris, Skepta and more.
The outdoor big music weekender has established itself as a rave haven with mainly dance artists and DJs making up its lineup through a variety of curated b2b sets and live performances.
If you’re after immersing yourself in some jungle music, Bradford-native Nia Archives will have you transfixed over at The Valley with her jungle-heavy tunes from 6.30pm – 7.30pm or there’s three more stages to take your pick from.
We’re sure that anyone eager to see the ‘Hands Up In The Sky’ producer live may be frustrated by this brand-new social media announcement however as Hoffstadt mentions it’s so he can “Get back to doing what I love as soon as possible”.
The Manc -
18th October 2021 
