Best Case Scenario
AFTER three and a half months in lockdown, it seems like a lifetime since we were able to enjoy a pint at our local or watch live music with friends.
Venues across Wales were forced to shut their doors after the UK Government announced all pubs and restaurants would need to close from March 20 in order to stop the spread of coronavirus.
In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Tuesday that pubs will be permitted to reopen on July 4, with social distancing measures of “one metre plus” in place.
The Welsh Government, however, has taken a more cautious approach and it is still unclear when pubs and clubs will reopen.
There have been discussions of a phased approach to lockdown measures easing, but no dates have been given, and the lack of information has caused some alarm among venues in Wales.
So, how might the future of nightlife look in Wales?
THE best case scenario for nightlife lovers in Wales at the moment is that pubs, bars and music venues reopen when the Welsh Government gives the go-ahead that it is safe to do so, with special measures, such as reduced capacity, in place to protect customers.
“Under some kind of guidelines, maybe people would need to get their temperature taken or get tested before they come in; we might have to control capacity,” said Gary Lulham, who runs entertainment venue Sin City in Swansea.
“I can’t imagine how we’d do it, but there might be a limit on the amount of drinks you’d have or perhaps when you can buy drinks.”
In Cardiff, one of the city centre’s busiest bars, the Philharmonic, has started putting measures in place for when doors do reopen.
“At the Philharmonic, we’ve had a thermal imaging camera fitted this week,” said Nick Newman, chairman of Cardiff Licensees Forum and general manager of the Philharmonic.
“We’ve mapped out a one-way path around the building, we’ll have perspex screens like you see in supermarkets, we have an app ready to go.”
Gary says it is interesting to look elsewhere and see how other countries have handled the reopening of their venues.
“There’s a club in Germany opening up during the day and you buy a ticket and take a seat and they play a half an hour set of hard dance or trance music,” said Gary.
“It’s a little half an hour show, with all the lights going and the speakers banging, but you’re not allowed to get up out of your chair.
“In a venue that would normally stand 300-400 people, there’s about 50 people sat down. And then they all get up and leave, the chairs are disinfected, and they bring the next lot in.”
As of now, it is unclear as to when the Welsh Government’s phased approach to reopening could potentially go ahead.
“I’ve got a full calendar of events