Northampton bar NB's to reopen as a pub with nightclubs still banned after coronavirus lockdown

Northampton bar NB's will be reopening as a pub with nightclubs remaining banned from reopening after the coronavirus lockdown.

The Bridge Street club has been closed since March but the doors will be opening again from Wednesday, July 29.

But there will be no dancefloors, a fraction of the number of customers, no live music initially and a booking system for tables.

Boss Marc Sawer said: "We've got to do something as we won't survive until October or November or whenever nightclubs can reopen.

"We won't be able to turnover as much revenue as before but we've got to do something or we won't last."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that nightclubs, along with soft play areas, dance halls and sexual entertainment venues, must remain closed on Friday (July 17).

Marc said that although it is bad news for him, he agreed with the decision as social distancing would simply be ignored by customers after a few drinks.

But he had already started looking at ways to get NB's making some money - with the King Billy Rock Bar and The Church Restaurant already reopening.

"Last weekend we had a sitdown with everything and decided we've got to do something and let's see if we can make it happen," he said.

"So we've got some seating from our other venues and I've been to see how it's working at other places.

"A club in Kettering did the same thing the other week and it worked well for them.

"We just need to get some revenue in rather than nothing."

Regular NB's visitors will find a very different set-up to what they are used to though.

The capacity is reduced from around 715 on a normal night to 160, with seats spaced out around the venue and table service.

Marc said there will be background music to start with but 'low-key' DJs might be able to perform 'if the customers behave themselves'.

"Hopefully we will be back to normal for October or November like Boris said but it all depends on the numbers as if it spikes then obviously we'll be closed down again," he said.

"But fingers crossed they don't as if it does then that will be a real problem."