A group campaigning on behalf of the nightlife industry in Northern Ireland is calling on Stormont to offer financial support to individuals struggling after two years of lockdowns and restrictions.
Free The Night, which was set up last year, argues while help has been available for businesses like venues and music organisations, freelancers like artists, DJs, promoters, sound and lighting engineers, as well as photographers, have been hit hard by the pandemic with minimal support on offer.
With Stormont due to go into its pre-election rest period on March 28, the group is calling on the public to contact their MLAs and stress the need for immediate action.
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Holly Lester, co-founder of Free The Night, said: "We are extremely disappointed with the government’s lack of engagement on this issue, which is affecting many individuals from our creative night time sector.
"A full Covid recovery plan and support for the previous lockdown must be discussed immediately.
"It is critical that action is taken before the government breaks for the election at the end of March.”
In a statement, the group added that many of the self-employed workers that they represent are in difficulties as a result of "tax return deadlines, increasing inflation and energy bill hikes", describing the situation as "a financial emergency that only furthers the challenges faced over the past two years".
DJ Robbie Nelson, of Agnelli & Nelson, said: “I remember a time when I could play four gigs in one night. I have only played four in the last two years.
"Everything else I had booked in was cancelled due to the uncertainty and no one was willing to take the risk with the possibility that things might be closed at the last minute.
"We got the biggest and worst shock of all when, without warning, on December 23, my right to earn money was stopped with no financial backing.
"I have put my whole life into music and it is really sad that my life’s work has just been switched off.”
Free The Night have created an online form that interested parties can use to email their MLAs.
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