A BALLOCH nightclub says the night-time industry is being 'demonised' after the Depute First Minister announced nightclubs in Scotland will be closed for at least three weeks.

Legislation tabled by the Scottish Government at the Covid-19 Recovery Committee will close nightclubs from December 27 unless they can operate with appropriate social distancing between groups and table service.

While nightclubs could remain open if they comply with the new rules, Deputy First Minister John Swinney recommended that they close to bring in further financial support and reduce losses for businesses involved.

A spokesperson for Desire nightclub in Balloch says the financial support is not sufficient.

They said: "It's about public safety and we understand that, but it's also about people's livelihoods which are being banded around.

"This is a critical time of the year for the industry and staff earning money. Come January or February, the number of shifts available for staff drops dramatically because the business isn't as busy.

"We're getting no furlough scheme so what do we do? There are staff who work in the nightclub who do that as their full-time job.

"We suspect the grant funding won't even hit people's bank accounts until late January. It's these things that people forget about.

"It's a closure by the back door and it should've been funded properly.

"Our wage bills are quite substantial every week and there is no way the grant will cover the three-week wage bill so we're now left in a quandary as a business.

"I think the night-time industry is being demonised and it has been for quite a while."

Speaking at the Covid-19 recovery committee, Mr Swinney said: "Having engaged with the sector we now propose to require that nightclubs should not operate as such for this three week period.

"While it would be open to them to operate with distancing and table service, and that option will remain, we consider that closure in regulations, combined with financial support, may reduce losses and help these businesses weather what we hope will be a short period until they are able to operate normally again."