Ronnie Scott’s will reopen at the second attempt later this month, after its initial plans were scuppered by a last-minute Government postponement.
In August, the famed Soho jazz club was set to start hosting gigs again for the first time since lockdown began — only to be put on ice as Prime Minister Boris Johnson pushed back the easing of restrictions on indoor performances by two weeks.
The venue has now set a new opening date of September 19 and has revealed a programme stretching until the end of October.
A series of new Covid-secure measures will be in place — including a reduced capacity of 50 per cent, deep cleaning, fresh air-conditioning, thermal checks, hand sanitiser stations and more.
Ronnie Scott’s general manager Fred Nash said: “We are proud to have scored 100 per cent in a Covid-safety audit without compromising the great atmosphere of the club and not putting in measures which are quite frankly, weird or unnecessary.”
He added: “We believe we can welcome customers back safely whilst maintaining the old-school hospitality values we are known for. We’re certain that when our customers return, they will feel we have got it just right.”
The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, the last act to play the club before its closure, will kickstart things as the first act back on stage. Elsewhere, there will be performances from the likes of Emma Smith, Mark Kavuma, Soweto Kinch and more.
The venue also placed on record its thanks to Music Venue Trust and UK Hospitality, “who have worked tirelessly with the Government on helping to get businesses like [ours] to open again, safely”.
Head to ronniescotts.co.uk for listings and tickets
