Conservatives promise revival of pubs and clubs in first 100 days

In a bold move to revive Britain’s struggling hospitality sector, the Conservative Party has promised to launch a comprehensive review of licensing laws and planning regulations within its first 100 days in office if elected.

The aim of this initiative is to support pubs, restaurants and music venues that have been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic challenges.

The Conservatives want to tackle the “disproportionate conditions and restrictions” imposed on them by local authorities. Their aim is to streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for businesses. The party also hinted at the possible establishment of a separate ministerial post for the night-time economy.

However, Labour criticised the Conservatives’ record and said it was “time to give the Tories a death blow”. The Labour Party pointed to the significant number of closures in the industry and attributed these to the policies of the incumbent government.

The pandemic has hit the hospitality industry hard: venues have had to close and operating costs have risen. Industry figures show that around 400 nightclubs were permanently closed between March 2020 and December 2023. High-profile closures such as that of nightclub owner Rekom underscore the industry’s ongoing problems.

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), expressed cautious optimism. While he acknowledged the Conservatives’ response to the industry’s calls for detailed plans, he stressed the need for substantive and concrete commitments to support the two million workers in the sector.

Conservative Small Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake reiterated his party’s support for the night-time economy, pointing to previous relief measures and pandemic relief, and criticised Labour for proposing higher taxes and stricter regulations, which he said would hurt the industry even more.

Labour, however, remains sceptical. A spokesman pointed to widespread closures under the Conservative government and accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of offering inadequate solutions. The Liberal Democrats and the SNP also rejected the promise as inadequate. The latter argued for a VAT cut to strengthen the tourism and hospitality sector.

As the general election approaches, the Conservatives’ promise to revive pubs and clubs becomes a key point of contention as the future of the hospitality industry hangs in the balance.