MPS to investigate impact on nightlife
MPS and peers are to investigate the impact of Covid-19 on British nightlife following the imposition of ten months of social restrictions due to the pandemic.
The hospitalit y industr y has been the hardest hit sector, accounting for a third of the 800,000 job losses since the epidemic began, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The inquiry into the impact of the virus on high street nightlife is being led by the newly formed All-party Parliamentar y Group (APPG) for the Night Time Economy.
The devastation wrought by the virus has led to the group calling for evidence from night time economy businesses, employees, freelancers and consumers to share their views on the challenges facing the sector, its importance to British society and the economy.
The parliamentarians also hope to hear ideas for how nightlife can be safely reo - pened once the latest lockdown, designed to arrest the
spread of the disease, is over.
LabourMPJeffS mi th, chairman of the APPG, said: "Despite playing such a vital role in our local communities and UK economy, nightlife businesses have been repeatedly overlooked by the government, and we are determined to ensure that the specific challenges facing the sector are addressed. This inquiry will be a vital first step in our work."
The consultations will run throughout January, with the report scheduled to be released in February.
Evidence for the inquiry can be submitted via at www. ntia.co.uk/appg