THE owners of a Basingstoke nightclub said they are “devastated” at being forced to close again following new government restrictions around Covid-19.

Fever and Boutique, in Winchester Street, at the Top of Town, reopened in August after being shut since March when lockdown measures were announced.

With nightclubs told to remain closed, bosses worked to reopen the venue as a bar instead operating table service and closing the dancefloor.

But now, the venue has been forced to shut again after bars and pubs were ordered to close at 10pm from yesterday.

A spokesperson for Fever in Basingstoke said: “The government announcement instructing hospitality businesses to close at 10pm further restricts the operation of our venue.

“We have consistently worked within the government guidelines to ensure we provide a safe environment for our staff and customers in making our businesses Covid-19 compliant whilst maintaining the atmosphere our customers enjoy.

“It is devastating to now have to close temporarily as a result of this curfew as we were starting to rebuild our trade following lockdown.”

The venue has been opening from 10pm to 3pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

Fever bosses are urging the government to reconsider its decision, with the spokesperson adding: “The Public Health England figures show only 5% of all outbreaks are linked to hospitality demonstrating there is little evidence that they enable the spread of Covid-19. We ask that government to continue to review this policy so we can get back to serving and looking after our customers soon.”