Night-time sector 'has to concede' to ticketing system

A volunteer group operating within the night-time industry say they ‘have to concede’ that a ticketing system was being implemented.

Sunil Sharpe from Give Us The Night says this is the final decision.

He was speaking as tickets into nightclubs and late bars will have to be booked at least an hour in advance.

Government officials have told representatives of the hospitality sector at a meeting that all tickets will have to be digital.

Congregation outside of clubs will be prohibited, with only ticket holders allowed to queue up.

Some uncertainty remains about the exact details of some of the new measures.

Sunil told Lunchtime Live the issue around ticketing has been debated back and forth.

"This conversation was first started during last week - I think it first came up on Wednesday, it was on the table then, then it was off the table, then it was back again Thursday, then it was gone again.

"Then there was silence from the departments throughout Friday until later that evening.

"We met [with] I think 15 or 20 minutes notice, and we were told that ticketing would be coming into place."

He says this is looking like a final decision, but they are hopeful of a review soon.

"We’re at this point now where I kind of have to concede that it’s coming in.

"I think none of us want it to come in, but it appears like this is the final decision now.

"So it’s really about how that change actually looks, and how much it actually will affect the industry from here on in.

"It’s about damage limitation, really, with this restriction - and how long it remains in place.

"We need to know that there will be a prompt review of this, hopefully within a couple of weeks".