The 21 June has been etched on the minds of operators as the date when they can finally trade normally unrestricted by capacity limits and social distancing measures, and any delays to this critical milestone will have severe consequences for the sector.
While the ringing of tills and clinking of pint glasses have been welcome sounds to the ears of bar owners, the scars of the pandemic will take years to heal. Having spent half a billion on measures to create safe environments, the vast majority are currently trading at a loss.
Nightlife venues in particular deserve reassurance and the bank holiday weekend has been a stark reminder of the necessity of licensed nightclubs.
If they remain closed, we are bound to see the return of unregulated, unlicensed illegal mass gatherings, which quickly surge out of control and bring with them an increased likelihood of illegal substance misuse.
Given all they have been through in the past 18 months, the Government owes our young people safe, regulated and ventilated environments, where we can rest assured they are being properly cared for.