Excitement is building for the reopening of a Lakes nightclub which has been closed for 18 months.
The Wheelhouse Nightclub in Bowness-on-Windermere is set to reopen on Saturday.
“It has been closed since last March,” said David Wilson, manager of the club.
“We could have opened earlier but we wanted to make sure the time was right and more people had been vaccinated. It started out that you might have needed a vaccine passport to enter a club. Stuff like that and also staff issues.”
The time spent closed has been difficult for the late-night venue.
“We are a business and we have other pubs and restaurants, not just the club, but of course like everybody it has been difficult, but you’ve got to get through it as best you can.”
Brexit has been a major player in the staffing problems the club is experiencing.
“At the start of lockdown we had staff from Spain and eastern Europe who have chosen to stay at home rather than the staff accommodation and some didn’t come back.
“Not many staff are coming in (to the area) really. The majority of our staff have been on furlough and came back as soon as we decided to reopen.
“I definitely think Brexit has had an impact. We have not seen the influx of staff coming looking for work in the area that we usually expect.
“We will have to see how it goes in the next six months or so into next season. It has (Brexit) definitely had an impact.”
David is optimistic for the future.
“Across the businesses, we have some problems with staff but hopefully we are coming out the other side and things are starting to improve after a difficult last 18 months or so.”
Excitement is building ahead of the reopening.
“We are very much excited, it is the 40th year, which is quite an achievement. This is the only time it has been closed,” said David.
The club will open at 11pm on Saturday.
It is hoped that Monday and Friday nights will soon return to the club in the near future.
