After two years of multiple lockdowns and an early curfew, nightspots are now struggling with high energy bills. Will there be closures?
The costs of discotheques and nightclubs are enormous in terms of energy. “The sound and light installations and the cooling equipment require enormous amounts of electricity. Even if a club is only open three days a week, it is comparable to a restaurant,” explains night gastronomy spokesman Stefan Ratzenberger.
In the past, energy costs were only a small part of revenue, but that has now changed. “We’re trying to rescue where we can,” Praterdome boss Holger Pfister said. The cold stores are switched off or kept to a minimum during the week. The alarm system also tries to save energy. “We are now talking about more than doubling electricity and heating costs,” says Pfister. In numbers, that means an amount of six figures per year.
Do not pass on price increases to guests
But that’s not all, the drinks are also getting more expensive. “Until now, however, we have not passed on the price increases to our guests. Everyone is struggling with the rising costs. If we become more expensive, fewer people come,” the club owner knows.
He hopes for help from the government, but not in the form of one-off payments, but in the form of a reduction in sales tax. Ratzenberger also demands this: “All the money that poured into the clubs during the lockdown would be a shame if you let them go bankrupt now because of energy costs.” Because right now, the situation is killing the industry with a takeoff.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
