The Stage

Clubland blames over-regulation for deterring younger volunteers and hastening decline

Published Tuesday 2 October 2007 at 14:55 by Mark Ritchie

British clubland’s 20 year decline will accelerate further because potential recruits are deterred from running venues by the fear of bureaucracy and over-regulation, says the industry’s main spokesman.

Kevin Smythe, general secretary of the powerful Club and Institute Union, claimed his organisation’s 2,300 member sites have reported growing problems finding new volunteers. He blamed a spate of recent legislation covering disability, employment, gambling, licensing and smoking, which he said had added to the workload and increased fears of legal liabilities.

His words were echoed at the grassroots by Yorkshire CIU affiliated club official Les Turfrey, who said: “It is a serious threat to clubland, as this is a professional business which is being run by enthusiastic amateurs.

“You can’t get the younger people to serve on the committee because of the work involved and clubs are being run by fewer and fewer people, including those who are retired and maybe have a bit more time.”

The loss of personnel has implications for the entertainment industry. Clubland is one of the biggest employers for the sector, which faces the prospect of reduced programmes at fewer venues unless the problem is addressed.

CIU national president Terry Watson confirmed that member sites were continuing to close at a rate of 80 a year, dropping to fewer than 2,500 last year for the first time in recent history.

In an effort to counter contradictory interpretations from local authorities and uncertainty among officials regarding new laws, the CIU has published its own Good Club Companion to advise on best practice.