Tickets for two big reopening nights at an infamous rock venue have sold out in record time as fans get ready to let their hair down post-lockdown.
Around 4.600 tickets for two student events at Rock City in Nottingham sold within 15 minutes – causing an online booking system to crash.
The two ‘Crisis’ all-nighters are planned for June 22 and 23 and are being are organised by the Carpe Noctum event firm.
The end of term blow-outs are set to take place straight after the Government’s planned June 21 date for clubs to finally reopen again as restrictions across England come to an end – pending no more spikes in virus rates.
Prior to that an outdoor bar will open at Rock city when the next round of restrictions ease, hopefully followed by indoor seated sessions in May.
Management at the city centre music venue – which has hosted bands such as The Undertones, The Smiths, Nirvana, Oasis and the Ramones – have been counting the cost of the longest closed period since it opened four decades ago.
Following the initial lifting of lockdown restrictions last July, the venue reopened with seating arrangements in place and groups kept to no more than six.
Music was a lot quieter than regular punters would have remembered and its smoking area was converted and enlarged to form a beer garden.
However it had to close again under subsequent lockdown restrictions.
Carpe Noctum managing director Andrew Smith said: “It’s a final chance for students to celebrate their time at university, something that the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 have been denied due to Covid.
“Both events have sold out in record time – we are oversubscribed with customers wanting to attend. We’ve been trying to spread the tickets as fairly as possible so everyone gets to go to something.
“Our Covid-safe strategy will depend on what rules are in place nearer the event. At a minimum, we can ensure adequate handwashing and sanitising facilities.
“We don’t rule out requiring negative Covid lateral flow test results or even attendees to wear masks.
“But it really depends on what restrictions we are dealt in June.
“It may be a case that there is a new spike and we have to reschedule or refund, in which case we are prepared to do so.
“Or, we may finally get lucky and we are able to operate restriction free.
“We are lucky that our customers have been understanding and are prepared to adapt to circumstances as they happen.
“We are hoping for the best, but ready for the worst.”
A spokesman for the venue said: “We are really happy to see that some of our first events back have sold so well and the reaction has been so positive.
“We are currently releasing events for our outdoor bar which will open in April – then our indoor sitdown sessions which will open in May – then finally back to what we have all been waiting for, on June 21.
“It’s safe to say we are looking forward to getting back into the venue and providing a safe and secure environment for people to finally get out and enjoy themselves.”
