Idols nightclub in Wind Street, Swansea, reopens with socially distanced makeover

When it comes to social distancing, it's safe to say that nightclubs are the complete opposite of that.

And with it still unclear as to when they will be allowed to reopen again, one club in Swansea has decided to have a socially distanced make-over.

Idols on Wind Street reopened for the first time since March on Wednesday.

But a few changes have been made, there will be no dancefloor or DJ.

Instead, a number of socially distanced benches have been placed across the venue, where groups of up to six can enjoy their evening.

There will be no dancefloor or DJ (Idols)

Talking about the reasons for only now reopening, Colin Stuart, managing director of Blackwater Bars which owns Idols, said that it seemed like a natural time to reopen now the students are back in the area. 

"We probably would have lost more money being open in the summer.

"There's been no government announcements to nightclubs other than they are not opening.

"If you are not going to do it now, when are you ever going to give it a try?

"If you are going to be reopening when Idols can be a nightclub again, that could be six months down the line and we could be gone by then," he said.

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The managing director said that it is a different feel inside Idols but the revamp has been welcomed by people in the area.

"It was a nice start. Idols is a late night bar operation, we tend to open at 5pm then the later part of the night the DJ comes on and there's a dancefloor.

"That made it in some ways an easier decision to make it from a nightclub style business to more of a bar/pub feel.

"We had to put tables and chairs over the dancefloor and there will be background music throughout the night," he explained.

He admitted that his focus at the moment is to "survive".

"It's about 25% of capacity, on Wednesday we had about 220 in, if every table takes six we can take up to 280, it's a 1100 capacity venue normally, it's made a huge difference.

"Our focus is to survive, if that's breaking even and a very small loss then I think we will accept that now," he added.