A report by The Telegraph found that nightclubs in the UK may face a shortage in staff, especially bouncers, in time for 21st June when all lockdown restrictions are planned to be lifted. This is due to Brexit and the pandemic forcing security staff into other jobs and even other countries, especially when they are non-UK nationals. As a result, this could potentially pushback the opening of many clubs as they could face safety risks due to lack of security.
The report estimates that over half of door security positions would not be filled in by the 21st June and a survey found that 11% of previously employed security staff pre-pandemic have returned to their home countries, whilst being uncertain whether they can return to the UK due to Brexit. A third has been reported to have found other types of employment in midst of the pandemic and it is likely that they may not return due to the intense working conditions in the nightlife sector.
An exodus of bouncers during the pandemic has left Britain’s nightclubs scrambling for security staff as they prepare to reopen. https://t.co/33FrplrR3p
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 20, 2021
Furthermore, it would take a while to find and train more staff during the pandemic. The UK Door Security Association has called for new training regulations for security staff to be delayed so that agencies can find new hires quicker in time for nightclubs opening – as they cannot legally open without the correct ratio of security staff. The additional training regulations are currently due to come into force in April.
Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “We rely heavily on licensed door supervisors to keep staff and customers safe. With the additional responsibility of public health… it is even more important that we remove barriers to ensure that we are able to fulfil the resource requirement. This will need a government intervention to ensure that the industry has the ability to provide enough staff. While the training is welcomed, it is not timely given the current economic situation across most of the sector, and consideration needs to be given to it being pushed back to 2022.”
Stuart Glen, owner of The Cause, a nightclub in London said: “I imagine it’s going to be more pressured when we reopen. When we go back on 21st June every operator in our field, every festival, nightclub, bar, restaurant, theatre, every event has been gagging to get back on track and suddenly everyone is going to say we need security staff. If we can’t find the staff then we physically can’t open. It’s a major issue.”
It has also been revealed recently that undercover police could patrol nightclubs and bars as an additional measure, aiming to protect women in these places. This announcement has been met with both support and criticism, with many calling for this plan to be aborted due to safety concerns.
