An Enniskillen nightclub manager has spoken of his optimism at the reopening of venues from 31 October.
This Sunday nightclubs will be permitted to open their doors for the first time since early 2020, just in time for Halloween.
Venues have had to shut their doors and dancefloors for 19 months as ongoing Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing measures have remained in place.
Now the preparations are in full swing for Feargal Shannon and the team at Industry Nightclub, part of the popular Crowe’s Nest bar in the Co Fermanagh town.
Feargal told MyFermanagh he and his team are hoping to bring as much of the nightclub experience back to normal times.
“We are flat out here at the minute, stocking bars and getting the place ready but we’re more or less ready to go,” Feargal said.
“Obviously Covid is still around and there are still precautions that need to be taken with track and trace and stuff like that.
“But we will be fulfilling all the obligations we can and trying to make it as much of the same experience as it was prior to Covid.
“It can’t be exactly the same obviously but we will do our best to make it as easy as we can for what people are used to."
From Sunday October 31, dancing will be permitted at all hospitality venues across Northern Ireland, while people will be allowed to move around freely without the need to social distance or sit at a table after ordering.
Unlike some other countries, nightclubs and other hospitality venues will not have to ask for proof of vaccination upon entry, however Health Minister Robin Swann has urged clubs to consider this as a requirement.
Feargal said: “Personally I think there are a lot of people that are still nervous about it, but a lot of people are chomping at the bit to get out.
“Things are starting to move on and we have to move with it as best we can."
Feargal added that his venue has plans for a line up of well-known DJs coming down the line, but the priority for now was just to get the doors open and get people in.
“At the minute our big plan is to get the place open," he said.
"We have a few bigger DJs lined up for the coming months but for the first month it is just about getting open and getting trading again.
“Getting staff organised and trained again is the biggest issue at the minute. Since we opened the bar it’s been impossible to find staff, but we have a team together now and we just want to build on that.”
