As many businesses across town prepare to reopen, one of Andover’s nightclubs has said lockdown has been “difficult” as it waits to reopen.

Cameo, based on London Street, has been closed for over a year after lockdown was first introduced in March 2020. While it has been able to open as a bar for part of the time, the heart of the business has been closed for over a year.

“It's been difficult for us and the sector as a whole,” said Thomas Dodd from the nightclub. “It’s not just pubs and bars, but hospitality across the board has been hit hard.”

A report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Night Time Economy, looking into the impact of Covid on the sector, found that nightclubs only made 20 per cent of their average revenue pre-Covid during the second half of 2020, with 51 per cent of workers having been made redundant.

85 per cent of people working in the sector are said to be considering leaving the industry, according to the report.

While Cameo’s future is secure, Thomas says that one overlooked factor is the young people who haven’t been able to experience a nightlife for themselves.

“We’ve been closed for over a year and we really need to reengage with our customers,” he said. Firstly, we miss them massively, and secondly, because there’s a massive sector that have missed us as well.

18-year-olds haven’t been able to celebrate and experience going out, and going to a nightclub. They haven’t experienced that pre-drink culture, organising drinks, getting outfits planned and all that side of it.”

Meanwhile, staff are getting impatient with the ongoing wait to return to work.

“I think everyone is getting a bit stiff,” he said, “being sat there on furlough, so everyone’s working hard behind the scenes to make sure everything is ready.”

While it has been tough for the sector, Thomas welcomed the news that nightclubs will be able to reopen from June 21 as part of the government’s roadmap, providing that it goes according to plan. He predicts a surge of business when they do reopen.

He said: “I think those of us that have been fortunate enough to survive and come out the other side hopefully will thrive, and come back with a boom, and hopefully people will be able to start enjoying us again.”

Cameo is planning ahead, with tickets going on sale this Saturday (April 10), and with measures being put in place to ensure things go smoothly. They’re also planning on tempting people back with a giveaway.

“We wanted to do something special for all those 18 and 19 year olds who have been stuck indoors all year and do a big giveaway where we organise all the pre-drinks for a house, their food, and then we carry on that experience into the venue with a £300 tab,” he said.

“We thought it would be a nice way of touching base with our customers again and especially for those that haven’t yet met us.”

For now, the team continues to work behind the scenes to get things ready.

“We’re pushing for June 21 as our launch date, government permitting,” said Thomas, “and it’s full throttle ahead. We want to open our doors and get going again.”

For more information on the giveaway, visit: www.facebook.com/cameoandover/