Elektro Club calls for proper consultations from PVCC

May 18, 2025 10:07 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now Twitter Facebook

By Adorina Massing.

Despite being labelled as a bad example of ‘violent nightlife activities,’ Elektrorock Music Bar is still a business with 26 staff who will now venture for new jobs. The management has humbly accepted the Port Vila City Council (PVCC) decision to relocate elsewhere but asks if they could do proper consultations next time.

The order imposing midnight curfews on nightclubs was passed and announced last year by the Lord Mayor of Port Vila, who said it is part of the measures to ensure safety and security if they were to operate within the Central Business District (CBD).

Earlier this month, the PVCC confirmed that nightclub businesses are prohibited from operating in the CBD and will need to relocate outside of town.

Since the earthquake last December, Elektro management revealed they had received no consultations or further instructions from the PVCC regarding their business relocation.

Regardless, the club manager still believes that enforcing a midnight closure for nightclubs will do little to address gang-related violence.

“Speaking for my establishment, we have one of the highest levels of security in the city, with a team of 12 permanent security staff,” he stated.

“I invite you to do your own research: it is widely known that our nightclub is a very safe space with strict rules in place.

“Closing nightclubs at midnight will not reduce street violence. In fact, it raises the question: is it not better to allow people to drink and socialise in a secure, regulated environment rather than on the streets? The reality is that people will continue to drink, and if safe venues are not available, they will do so in uncontrolled settings, such as the city’s streets, which may increase risks.”

The manager expressed his disappointment, stating they would be grateful if the PVCC had notified them earlier with instructions or given a grace period to relocate since it has been five months with no revenue since the earthquake.

He noted that there are also certain businesses involved in nightclubbing or alcohol sales which are openly flouting regulations.

“This is no secret: it is well-known at all levels of our community (black markets). Yet, these violations have persisted for years without action. Why not begin by addressing these specific cases? Taking firm steps against such offenders would have a far greater impact than imposing blanket restrictions on compliant businesses like ours, which contribute to the city’s vibrancy and economy.

“In my case, a midnight closure would be catastrophic. It would mean the end of my business. Most of our customers arrive around 11:00pm, and 70% of our revenue is generated after that time. Closing at midnight would leave us with insufficient sales to cover our operating costs. People will not come for just one hour of dancing. This would force us into bankruptcy, leaving me in debt and putting 26 employees out of work.”

He said this order is counterproductive, especially given the significant VAT and VNPF contributions that nightclubs make to the government each month.

The manager wished to publicly raise his concerns, seeing how there is no proper communication with the PVCC. He said Elektro fully supports the need to address violence in the community; however, he simply believes that some of the proposed measures may not achieve the desired results and could even harm the city’s economy. It may be that shortcuts have been taken in designing these policies without fully considering their broader consequences, but that could be avoided if there were proper consultations with all parties involved in the first place.

PVCC Town Clerk David Hopa has responded, saying nightclubs in the CBD have ceased operations temporarily after the earthquake because most buildings in town are still structurally unsafe.

“But now, after assessments were made, some buildings remain unsafe, and it is safer to keep people out of the CBD area in the meantime. The Town Mayor has issued a letter to the owners to relocate and move elsewhere if they want their businesses to thrive.”

He said there are a few reports of drunk people smashing bottles on the road from the high balcony of Elektro club, which is very risky and unsafe for pedestrians.

“There are plenty of nuisances and there was a recorded death that happened at Elektro.”

Hopa said they will soon consult the management to explain their decision and directives.