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
News
The ‘headphone dodger’ proposal that could see people who play loud music on public transport fined
Danny Jones
A group of politicians are calling for people who play music and videos out loud on public transport to be fined, and not just a small fee, either. How about a grand?…
Yes, a new idea floated by members of the Liberal Democrats would see so-called ‘headphone dodgers’ hit with a penalty of a whopping penalty of up to £1,000.
Obviously, the idea would need government backing in order to make it through as an official bill, but it seems several Labour and Conservative MPs agree, and the suggestion alone already has caused plenty of online discussion.
Should 'headphone dodgers' who play loud music and videos on public transport face a fine of £1,000?
Sparking quite the water-cooler conversation too, the proposal is something that clearly taps into a fairly common nuisance among the general public and one that has increased in the era of smartphones, tablets and so on.
While it’s definitely something people can relate to, and the highly reactionary idea of charging them such a large sum of money, many on social media have noted that while the concept is one they can get behind, the figure seems excessive to most.
The no-headphone fine would apply to those playing music and video out loud on buses, trains and trams at what would generally be considered an obnoxious volume; if given the green light, this rule would be included in the railway byelaws and the current ‘Bus Services Bill‘ amended.
It has been suggested that a potential national campaign deterring this kind of behaviour would follow, with the party arguing plainly that commuters deserve to “enjoy a moment of peace.”
A similar policy has emerged regarding drivers as well.
This push from the Lib Dems comes after they commissioned a poll which found that “more than half of Brits said they would not feel empowered to ask somebody to turn down their music” while on board public transport, with over a third confessing they’ve come across the issue before.
Lisa Smart, the party’s home affairs spokesman, said: “Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the blight of antisocial behaviour — and headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders.”
She went on to add, “It’s time to take a stand for the quiet majority who just want to get from A to B in peace.” It is believed that both politicians in power and members of the opposition have already expressed support for the idea, even if specifics like the severity of the fine are up for debate.
Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.
The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.
This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)
The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.
Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.
Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.
For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.
This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)
This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.
The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.
Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”
The Manc -
18th October 2021 
