Authorities have said some restaurants, bars and nightclubs in one of Beijing’s main nightlife centers and celebrity hangouts are to be closed to help ensure security at an Olympic football venue.

Stadium Vice-manager He Zhenxing said, ‘About six restaurants and bars inside the Beijing Workers’ Stadium compound will be ordered to suspend operation for more than 20 days before and during the Olympic Games.’

He agreed the venues, popular among Beijing residents, will lose business, but the order was issued to guarantee security for the Games.

He said, ‘The stadium will not pay compensation to them, but may extend their leases or give preferential treatment after the Olympic Games.’

Managers of the businesses said they would accept the order, although they felt ‘very unhappy’ about it. Most of the venues are still open, but some are carrying out renovations.

Zhang Youjing, manager of Youjingge Restaurant said ‘More than 130 employees in my restaurant will be out of work during the suspension. If they don’t return after the Games, I will have to hire new people and start over again.’

Zhang said his 700-square-meter restaurant had hosted celebrities including David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Jacky Chan, and took RMB20 million($2.7 million) in sales in 2004 when it opened.

Zhang Youjing said, ‘I really don’t know what it will look like after the Games. I’m not a threat to the Olympic Games and I cannot resist the official order by any means. I only wish myself good luck.’

The manager of Club Mix nightclub, surnamed Guo, said he would have no choice, but to obey the order. ‘We have almost 800 customers every night. More than 200 workers will stay at home on a minimum salaries during the closure.’

Source: Shanghai Daily