We recently spoke to our close partners, the NTIA, about the difficulties the night-time industry faces in 2019. We agreed that the only way to overcome these challenges is through togetherness, education, and communication.
After more than 20 years fighting for the future of night-time leisure venues, we understand how important it is to keep the industry thriving. We have the best nightlife in the world, and the UK wouldn’t be the same without it.
So here are the big threats that are set to hit the industry in 2019. For information on how your business can become more resilient to these sorts of challenges, contact us, or the NTIA, today.
SIA Licence shortage
For many reasons, we’re experiencing a crisis-shortage of SIA licence holders. As of September 2018, there were a total of only 231,530 door supervisor licences granted by the SIA. When you consider how many venues need security staff, including those who need 10, 20,30 licensed professionals at a time, the numbers don’t make for good reading. A report supported by the UKCMA in 2013 showed there had been a 40% drop in SIA license renewals.
As industry professionals, we need to consider what we can do to reverse this trend. Without security staff, there will be no nightlife.
Venue owners and managers should question whether they are creating a positive working environment for door staff. Pay is one thing; feeling like they’re safe and supported is another.
Licensing changes
In 2018, the #welovehackney and #savenightlife campaigns fought to save the borough’s vibrant and diverse nightlife. This was in response to regulation changes from Hackney council, which placed an 11pm curfew on new venues unless they could PROVE that opening later wouldn’t have a negative impact on the area.
If other councils, or even the government, took the same steps, it would ruin nightlife.
That’s why it’s so important that we reverse the perception of nightlife. Instead of having to prove that the industry doesn’t have a negative impact on cities, we should fight to show what a positive impact it brings. Increased economy, tourism, happier people; the list of benefits is endless.
PPL fee levy rise
This report in the Telegraph suggests that the changes to the PPL royalties levy may mean the ‘death of the DJ’. Whether that’s an overstatement or not, only time will tell.
Licensing organisation PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited, wants to increase fees from 3.8p to 22p per person per hour for venues playing recorded music. This could be crippling.
The fee rise could equate to around 480%; an astonishing amount.
Unfortunately, this change is flying under the mainstream media’s radar. Staying together and being vocal are the first steps to stopping this disastrous change.
Changing consumer habits
This last change isn’t enforced, but it will challenge your business. Although we saw a positive 2018 Christmas period for the hospitality industry, we know that young people’s habits are changing. Not only are they choosing different activities in the evening, but they’re also drinking less alcohol than previous generations. We wrote about it in this blog back in July.
Unlike the other pressures, venues shouldn’t be fighting consumer habit changes. They should embrace them.
We recently read about a surge in non-alcoholic beer sales, and we know that cross-purpose venues, such as bars with bowling alleys, are thriving.
Changing consumer habits are an opportunity.
There you have it
It’s an exciting year ahead, and also a difficult one. But that’s not a problem.
NDML has supported venues through 20 years of difficulties and pressures, and the industry is still thriving. It’s important to avoid unnecessary pressures that can damage your business, such as insurance claims by individuals or for building repairs etc.
That’s where we come in. Through our expert risk management and exclusive insurance products, we ensure that you’re protected in the event a claim should occur.
Leaving you to put your voice to campaigns by the NTIA and help support the future of the industry.