As our neighbours south of the border cautiously begin to celebrate, or criticise, the removal of seemingly all COVID-19 restrictions including masks, eager Scots are keen to discover whether Westminster’s gamble will pay off and just how it will shape decisions up here.
One of the major differences now seen down south was the reopening of all nightclubs, most of which had to blow the cobwebs off the dancefloor after playing their swan song all the way back in March last year.
In contrast, after months of challenges, closures and bleeding finances, Scottish nightclub owners are desperate to find out what’s next on the Scottish Government’s playlist to reopen clubs on the provisionally pencilled in date of the 9th August, and what restrictions may hinder the first big night out for Scots since the pandemic hit.
Fears around Scotland’s night-time economy were vocalised over the past week by a number of the nation’s nightclub moguls including Glasgow’s Donald MacLeod, owner of The Garage and the Cathouse, who requested clarity over whether there would be restrictions still in place after our very own ‘Freedom Day’, which could make nightclubs ‘simply not viable’ for ready-to-rock revellers.
It’s certainly easy to picture how frustrating it must be for those involved within the night-time economy watch their colleagues across the border open their nightclubs, to almost full capacity, while owners across the border wait in line desperately trying to join the party.
Adam McGeachie, general manager at Stirling’s Dusk nightclub, was also disappointed at the lack of detail around next steps for the sector, describing the situation as being ‘in complete limbo with roads to the road map’.
The nightclub owner also highlighted that the uncertainty has ‘exacerbated both the operational and financial impact’ of his venue, meaning he’s been unable to ‘accurately plan, invest and prepare’ for its eventual reopening.
With a need for clarity from the Scottish government more and more necessary, this is no longer just a case of people needing a good old fashioned night out, it’s a case of survival for a number of Scotland’s biggest names within the clubbing sector.
In Glasgow alone, the nightlife economy contributes an incredible £2.16 billion each year towards the city’s economy and supports over 16,000 full-time jobs, so to lose some of these venues would be catastrophic.
In the past week, there was at least some stirring from the Scottish government as Nicola Sturgeon mentioned that they’re certainly discussing solutions for nightclubs, clubbers and the steps they will need to take to get back into venues.
Health secretary Humza Yousaf talked down the idea of vaccination passports as a requirement to enter Scottish nightclubs from later this year, a U-turn decision which has caused a lot of panic and divide in England following a fashionably late announcement from the UK parliament.
Yousaf said he was ‘sceptical’ of any decision that would involve people who couldn’t provide proof of being fully vaccinated refused entry to pubs or nightclubs – which I imagine brought a massive sigh of relief to Scottish hospitality owners.
Understanding just how important the nightlife industry is to Scotland hasn’t exactly gone completely unnoticed, with the Scottish government providing rounds of emergency funding to nightclub and live music venues. As recently as June, a £13 million Culture Organisations and Venues Recovery Fund grant was provided to help ‘prevent insolvency or significant job losses due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic’.
I have to tip my metaphorical hat to the ingenuity of a large number of nightclubs across the nation who have tried to discover alternative ways to ‘reopen’. For example, Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s on the Cowgate announced that while nightclubs are remaining closed for the foreseeable future, they’ve opened their doors as a bar-slash-pizzeria, putting a bit of a pep-peroni in their step.
While businesses across the board are still facing their fair share of pandemic problems, I think it’s safe to say that the nightclub industry has been dancing in the dark for quite a considerable amount of time.
While we watch English patrons take to the floor and carefully tiptoe around the restrictions, we hope and wait with bated breath that Scotland’s clubs get the green light to turn the disco ball back on shortly.
Developing the young workforce is something I’m really passionate about and I’m keen to support and encourage fellow businesses, employers and the education system to provide young people with the right skills for the future.
This has always been a work in progress area, but now more than ever due to the number of setbacks and missed opportunities young people have had lately. That’s why I was so encouraged to hear about the latest project from The Sunshine Kitchen.
Based in Glenrothes, Fife, The Sunshine Kitchen has been running for three years and it’s a place where young people in the area with additional support needs can develop their culinary skills as part of a community project.
Specifically aimed at young people making the transition from full-time education to the working world, it’s a safe space to make friends, develop valuable skills and boost the confidence of these young adults.
The recipes they follow and products they create – often baked goods, soups, jams and preserves – are then sold at local markets in Fife, both supporting the community and also funding the future of the project.
On a similar vein, Scottish Tourism Alliance has recently launched a new campaign ‘#DoWhatYouLove’, to attract young people into the hospitality industry and plug staff shortages.
Funded by Scottish Government and backed by several businesses including bar and restaurant operators Signature, the campaign aims to position hospitality as a prosperous career path to follow.
As business leaders, it’s important to take the time to invest in the next generation, especially as they enter what’s thought to be the toughest job market for decades, as I believe they will be vital to the longevity and future success of our businesses.
It Made Me Laugh
Our feline friends have always been praised for their reflexes, but BBC reporter James Shaw impressed with his very own cat-like instincts as he tackled a light that fell on him mid broadcast.
The Scottish correspondent was reporting live from Glasgow when a standing light crashed towards him. Just as he was introduced by Sophie Raworth in the studio, he sprang into action, returned the light up-right and carried on like a true professional.
Earlier this month the Loose Women were hosting a show as the set literally crumbled collapsed around them too.
Meanwhile Radio 1 DJ Greg James is currently recording his breakfast show while locked in a campervan at Blackpool Zoo.
If TV sets are consistently falling apart, what could possibly go wrong at the zoo for James?
It Made Me Weep
We have all been basking in the Scottish summer sun in recent weeks, but there’s a darker side to this heatwave – climate change.
Recent international research has found that climate change is having an effect on seabirds in Scotland, with fewer chicks recorded in 67 species of seabirds including kittiwakes, puffins and shags.
But it’s not just climate change, human activities are contributing to the decline too. Many of these seabirds rely on small fish to feed their young, so activities such as overfishing and rising plastic pollution are exacerbating the issue.
With circumstances of the past year driving more people to the Highlands and Scotland’s coastlines, we have so much wildlife and natural habitat to appreciate, but it’s important that we respect and nurture rather than being destructive and speeding their decline.
