Night clubs cannot currently operate under their 7th category entertainment licence, forcing many to close and some to act solely as restaurants under a 3rd category licence which means they have to closed by 11pm.
The owner of Vittoria in Liberty Wharf, Martin Sayers, said it was
unfair that government policy allowed hotel bars to open until 1am but not nightclubs.
‘It is no fault of the hotels but current guidelines mean they can open their bars to guests and the public until 1am. Some have even held live music events.’
He added: ‘It is the fault of the States who are allowing one part of the sector to open and have left the other out to dry.’
Mr Sayers said the lack of assistance from the States was causing extreme financial hardship on 7th category licence holders.
He added: ‘We are only asking for a level playing field. We want to be able to provide some light entertainment and stay open until 1am.’
Mr Sayers said this solution would result in increased income and would help to spread the congregation of people across town.
The owner of Tanguy’s nightclub, Chris Tanguy, said the government needed to provide better justification as to why hotel bars could operate under the guise of their hotel licence.
Mr Tanguy said the furlough pay was ‘not enough to survive’, and that he was asking for guidance or extra financial assistance to help pay rent.
JP Anquetil, who owns Rojo nightclub, said the club was currently operating under a 3rd category restaurant licence and only bringing in 15% of what it normally made. Rojo was recently cautioned for having a live DJ on its terrace during food service, something Mr Anquetil said was unfair.
He added: ‘Other places have done the same and nobody has said a word. There needs to be some consistency from the authorities.’
Mr Anquetil said he had been forced to take out a £30,000 government-backed loan which he had already used to keep the club alive.
‘If this continues any longer I don’t know how I am going to survive. I’ve had limited financial assistance and no guidance as to when I can resume anything close to a full service,’ he said.
Mr Anquetil also runs the Wonkytown festival which was cancelled due to Covid-19.
He said the proposed idea of an alcohol limit at large gatherings as part of a move to level one of lockdown would immediately eliminate the possibility of the festival taking place this year.
‘We break even on the money we make from ticket sales; any profits are made on the bar. An alcohol limit would make the festival pointless and discourage people from coming,’ he concluded.
