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Scotland’s biggest nightclub halves opening hours – BBC News
Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Katy Scott
- Role, BBC Scotland reporter
Scotland’s biggest nightclub has reduced the number of days it opens due to the cost of living crisis and changing clubbing habits.
The Garage on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow previously advertised opening its doors 365 days a year, including Christmas.
But the nightclub, which has been running for 30 years, will now only open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
The venue will occasionally open for special events outside of this, including planned gigs.
Club owner Donald MacLeod blamed rising costs and lower footfall in the city centre for the decision.
Mr MacLeod said the midweek opening times had been “sporadic” so the club wanted to put out a definitive update for revellers.
However, he stressed that this was only a precautionary measure as summer was traditionally quieter.
“At this time of the year, we’ve got the students going away, folk going on summer holidays and 200,000 Scots going to the Euros,” he said.
“Midweek has been terrible for the whole of Glasgow. Footfall in the city centre is down 400,000 people compared to the same period last year.
“The cost of living crisis is having a horrendous impact on the city and it’s not being helped by the LEZ, applied parking charges, and the roadworks.”
Change in clubbing habits
He said he hoped the Garage would return to normal opening hours if the sector improved and urged locals to support their favourite bars and clubs to help them stay open.
A number of pubs and venues have closed in the city in the last year. Bonjour, which closed in December after three years, and Symbol, which closed in August after being open for less than a year.
Mr MacLeod added: “There is a massive change in habits – if you’ve no money, you can’t go out.
Image source, Donald MacLeod
“If you can only afford to go out one day a week, then you’ll pick the weekend.
“It is a safety thing as well – you want to know you can get a taxi home and there are more taxis being taken off the road.”
The Garage hosts gigs as well as club nights and has previously seen the likes of Prince, One Direction and Marilyn Manson.
Mr MacLeod said the club would still open for planned gigs on days outside of the new opening hours.
Festivals in the city have faced similar difficulties.
Glasgow City Council has been approached for comment.
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