![\"nightclub\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1_GP35939729.jpg\")
Nightlife venues need support from government, industry chiefs warn(Image: Collect.)<\/p>\nTrade chiefs warn Covid shutdowns, spiralling energy costs and the decline of city centres as well as tax rises have seen venues shed thousands of jobs.Nightlife venues need support from government, industry chiefs warn(Image: Collect.)<\/p>\n
Scotland needs a dedicated nightlife minister to save our struggling pubs and clubs<\/a> which are shedding thousands of jobs, industry leaders say.<\/p>\n Trade chiefs warn Covid<\/a> shutdowns, spiralling energy costs and the decline of city centres as well as tax rises are to blame for the troubles in the business.<\/p>\n The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) is calling for a new economic strategy to urgently boost Scotland\u2019s \u00a343.5billion nightlife<\/a> sector, which supports 137,000 jobs.<\/p>\n It comes as the Scottish Hospitality Group last week warned of a jobs \u201ccliff-edge\u201d blamed on the rise in employers\u2019 National Insurance imposed by Rachel Reeves.<\/a><\/p>\n More than 5000 hospitality<\/a> jobs in the UK were lost last month, shock data shows \u2013 bringing the total since the Chancellor\u2019s budget last year to 89,000.<\/p>\n The NTIA has now published a 31-point \u201cmanifesto\u201d to save the industry<\/a>, including a new night-time economy strategy in line with nations like Ireland.<\/p>\n That strategy would be spearheaded by a Holyrood minister<\/a> with a remit to ease costs and burdens on venues and improve late-night transport and public safety.<\/p>\n NTIA Scotland chairperson Mike Grieve, manager of Glasgow\u2019s iconic Sub Club<\/a>, told the Sunday Mail: \u201cThere needs to be a reset and the industry as a whole needs to be taken much more seriously by government.<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s a massive contributor to the economy<\/a>. It’s the biggest provider of jobs for under-30s and that’s before you start talking about the cultural value of it and what it means to towns and city centres.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s meant to be fun, it’s all about enjoyment and entertainment<\/a> – but it’s more serious than that when you get into talking about jobs and livelihoods, and a lot of operators have got their whole livelihood on the line.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very serious situation.\u201d<\/p>\n As well as Reeves\u2019 National Insurance hike, industry chiefs in Scotland have long been sounding the alarm over business rates policy which they say – despite SNP<\/a> claims to the contrary – is less generous than south of the border.<\/p>\n Last November\u2019s Scottish budget<\/a> offered 40 per cent rates relief for hospitality firms – but only for smaller venues properties with rateable values up to \u00a351,000. In England, the same relief is applied to all hospitality, retail and leisure companies.<\/p>\n Grieve added: \u201cWhat we are experiencing in Scotland is a severe disadvantage compared to the rest of the UK\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cWe reckon about 2500 businesses in Scotland operating in town and city centres get no relief whatsoever.<\/p>\n \u201cA medium-sized nightclub or restaurant and bar, maybe employing 20 or 30 people, is very unlikely to be getting any rates relief unlike counterparts in England.”<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Stephen Montgomery, head of the Scottish Hospitality Group and owner of Townhead Hotel, in Lockerbie, said he would back a new Scottish minister<\/a> or tsar with a mission to boost the nightlife and hospitality sectors.<\/p>\n But he added: \u201cOn the wider issue, we need to be very frank: governments<\/a> on both sides of the border need to pin back their ears and open their eyes to what’s happening in front of them.<\/p>\n “The stark reality is we have lost thousands of jobs. The time for being nicey-nicey and nodding heads is starting to get beyond a joke. It’s now action that needs to be taken by ministers<\/a> on both sides of the border.”<\/p>\n![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_mike-grieve-ntia-chair-sub-club-manager.jpg\")
Mike Grieve, chair of NTIA Scotland and owner of Sub Club in Glasgow(Image: HANDOUT)<\/p>\n![\"
Rachel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2_01JQ9A1G3TRGY9RGWJSRKEF5BS.jpg\")
Rachel Reeves(Image: Stefan Rousseau\/PA)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_WACOMMUNITYQR3.jpg\")
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