Blackpool venue hoping for an independance day restart after coronavirus lockdown

The team at Vegas style cabaret venue, Viva Blackpool, is tentatively looking at a re-opening after consulting staff, advisers and hotel partners.

Although still awaiting the full Government go-ahead bosses are to talk to customers before putting in place social distancing measures such as cutting capacity from 700 to 220.

They have had to reschedule more than 100 performances as well as support 29 staff members on furlough with weekly quizzes, video updates from the bosses and a programme of live streaming shows.

Venue owner Martin Heywood said: “While awaiting full government guidelines to be released, we have drafted a number of sensible policies and processes which we confidently feel can ensure visits to Viva are safe, and the experience uncompromised.

“We are incredibly lucky to have a spacious and flexible venue space which we can adapt to a reduced capacity.

“Our biggest challenge, we feel, is not just adapting the venue to ensure safety and comfort, but to make sure we actually have an audience to perform to and ensure that what we do is viable, practical and sensible.

"Having consulted local hoteliers, many of whom have confirmed that their intention is to open in July, and that they have a number of confirmed bookings for that week - we have decided to move forwards with a reduced three show a week schedule for July, and hopefully we will then be able to resume a full schedule from August onwards if we feel audiences are comfortable in returning to the venue.”

Host Leye D Johns said: “These have been the hardest few months ever in every performers showbusiness careers.

“Hardly anything stops our talented cast of singers and showgirl dancers from getting on stage, and hopefully as we move towards being able to treat this virus, tracking and tracing and eventually a vaccine – we will be able to return to being able to do what we love seven days a week.

"For now we are going to take it step by step, and give our visitors a chance to forget about the outside world for a short time and give themselves a well needed, safe and socially distanced break from 2020!

“Ironically, the fourth of July was the date I opened the Alabama Showboat in 1994 (at Liberty’s Hotel on North Shore) now 26 years later, I hope this re-opening is a positive move forwards for the town, and that we can begin to look forwards to a brighter future.”