WITH a future of financial support unknown, the return of Salisbury’s biggest nightclub would be “a miracle”.

It was revealed in the Prime Minister’s latest Covid-19 briefing that nightclubs could potentially reopen from June 21, but without further support and clarity from the Government, a final decision about The Chapel Nightclub’s reopening cannot be made.

The Chapel’s managing director Amanda Newbery said next week’s Budget announcement will determine the outcome for the nighttime venue on Milford Street, as well as its fourth attempt of securing a Culture Recovery Fund grant.

“We have to wait and see what business support is there for us, we recognise even if we can open we have a long way to go,” she said.

It has nearly been one year since The Chapel closed as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, only receiving its first financial boost in November.

Amanda said: “Since November nightclubs have been treated like other businesses, we hadn’t had grants before then, it just felt so good to be treated like everywhere else.

“We’re coming up to our one year of being closed, and we have taken on debt to do it.

“I think it is totally understandable we haven’t been allowed to open, I don’t think we should have been able to open, but we haven’t been given any help.”

Amanda described waiting to hear about future support for the sector like “hanging on a cliff edge”, adding it would be “a miracle” to reopen.

READ: Will the PM’s exit plan work for us? City businesses react to road map

If the nightclub was to be successful in securing financial support, the next concern for the business is to become profitable, alongside the costs of a summer reopening and retraining staff.

Amanda said one way of tackling this would be five per cent VAT on entrance charges.

“The big issue is repaying debt for the first eight to nine months, for all of that is following behind us,” she said.

During its closure, the nightclub has been listed as a potential vaccination hub, but the space has not been requested to be used.

The Chapel owner said it would be “fantastic news” to confirm plans for reopening, but it boils down to what business support packages are available for nightclubs, otherwise Salisbury will be “a very quiet city”.

She said: “I can’t promise we will be here as a late night venue, we are keeping all our options open. We can’t just go on in a vacuum – we need support so we can move forward and work on getting open.

“I don’t blame the Government about the pandemic but we need clarity on what’s to come. The nighttime economy is so important, we need to be a thriving nightlife city.”

Get more Salisbury news.

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.