The owners of Przym have welcomed the government “finally acknowledging” nightclubs, despite pointing to flaws in a reopening suggestion made by the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that rapid Covid-19 testing could help entertainment venues, such as theatres and nightclubs, start to welcome back customers once lockdown restrictions are eased.

When talking about the possibility of mass-events, Mr Johnson suggested lateral flow tests could be used by “those parts of the economy we couldn’t get open last year.”

In a Downing Street News conference, he said: "That, in combination with vaccination, will probably be the route forward.”

Russell Quelch, REKOM UK’s operations director that runs Przym and a series of UK clubs, has welcomed the acknowledgement of nightclubs, but believes it is not the right move.

He said: “While this is not a firm policy announcement, it’s great the Government is finally acknowledging nightclubs after a year in the wilderness with no financial support at all. However, the idea of Covid-19 flow tests being part of the reopening solution, is deeply flawed and not practical.

“For starters, these tests would need to be both affordable and quick. If the quickest turnaround for a result is 30 minutes, this is simply too long and if they cost more than £1 too expensive. Can you imagine sitting comfortably in a pub, bar or restaurant and agree to pay for and take a Covid test in order to go to the neighbouring nightclub – you wouldn’t.”

Studies have also shown that lateral flow tests are likely to only pick up 40 per cent of all cases, and can be highly unreliable in detecting the virus.

Read more: Could rapid Covid testing help nightclubs reopen?

Mr Quelch explained he believes the “key to reopening” would involve vaccinating, and that it makes “far more sense” to not rush back and take a more “pragmatic approach.”

He suggested that if nightclubs are to remain closed while other restrictions ease, then “much needed financial support” is needed from the Government.

UK nightlife operator Deltic, that formerly owned Przym, was bought out of administration for £10m after being unable to operate since the start of the first lockdown.

Speaking on the impact Przym and Deltic faced, Mr Quelch said: “It’s obviously been a tough year for nightclubs which haven’t been allowed to open since last March.

“As a business, we were fortunate to have been given a lifeline by REKOM who bought us [Deltic] out of administration at the end of last year, securing the future of PRYZM Watford.

“Sadly, there are hundreds of good businesses out there not as fortunate as us who still face the real threat of closure and job losses.”

The operations director stated that the Government should be eyeing up more support for the night-time economy sector, stating “they have yet to pay a penny” to the sector since being ordered to close for almost a year.