Copenhagen’s mayor for integration and employment, Cecilia Lonning-Skovgaard, wants a nightlife plan to give hope to the bars, restaurants and nightclubs unable to open due to the corona restrictions. 

The Venstre councillor was accordingly one of many to recently reject a proposal formulated by Alternativet and Enhedlisten calling for midnight closures. 

Venstre, Socialdemokratiet, Radikale, Konservative, SF and Dansk Folkeparti also rejected the draft.

First draft envisage peaceful return
Some nightclubs have been unable to open for over a year now – their only hope was a loophole in the autumn, which enabled some to open briefly as bars – and there is a consensus that some politicians and city centre have enjoyed their closure. 

Less noise pollution and rubbish on the streets, along with fewer resident complaints and calls to the emergency services – it has been an unexpected benefit for many, and some local politicians would prefer a nightlife reopening that respects this new-found peace. 

The first draft also included a proposal to cease handing out licences to serve alcohol between 24:00 and 05:00 and make it easier to turn down applications to renew permits in the city centre.

An industry on its knees
However, Lonning-Skovgaard contends that this could torpedo an industry that many rely on for their jobs.

“There was only one choice: to scrap the unpopular and insane first edition of the nightlife plan,” she stated in a press release.

“Copenhageners should be allowed to party, but this plan would de facto shut down an entire industry. The draft has completely misunderstood what the majority of Copenhageners want and how restaurants and bars are bleeding right now because of the corona. We must have an open city with joy and nightlife, and we must support a profession that is under pressure. Do not shut it down.”

A new proposal is expected tomorrow.

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