Bar Challenges Nightlife Decline with Extended Opening Plans

A hospitality business in Jersey is aiming to counter the decline of the island’s nightlife by extending the opening hours of a popular St Helier venue.

Chambers, located on Mulcaster Street, has submitted an application to the Licensing Assembly to extend its closing time to 2am, an hour later than its current schedule. If approved next month, the venue could introduce the change as early as Easter.

The move comes amid a challenging period for the nightlife sector, with several venues shutting down in recent years. Notable closures include ROJO last July and Havana, which ceased operations in December. Other well-known venues such as WYSIWYG and Ce Soir,. have also closed, leaving just a handful of late-night options in St Helier, including Vittoria and The Drift at The Royal Yacht.

Despite the broader decline, Chambers has continued to see demand for late-night entertainment, particularly towards the end of the week. The venue is already equipped with the necessary security and infrastructure to support the extended hours, making the transition relatively straightforward once approval is granted.

The proposal received unanimous support at a recent St Helier parish assembly and will now be reviewed by the Licensing Assembly. Initially, the extended hours are expected to apply only on Friday and Saturday nights, with potential expansion during the summer months and the festive season.

Plans are also in place to attract UK bands and DJs to the venue, aiming to enhance the entertainment offering and draw in more patrons. While early-week business remains slow, industry leaders remain optimistic about the potential for growth in Jersey’s hospitality sector.