PLANS to only allow double vaccinated people into nightclubs will hurt them financially, according to a Worcester nightclub owner.

Nightclubs and other crowded venues, which were allowed to open from Monday morning, are currently only encouraged to ask clubbers to show proof of vaccination, a negative test result or immunity.

Boris Johnson made a surprise announcement during a Freedom Day press conference that, from the end of September, the government would make full vaccination the "condition of entry to nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather."

The hope is that the 'Covid Passports' will be an incentive to the 35 per cent of 18 to 30-year-olds who have not yet had their first Covid jab.

But Alexander Fell, owner of Alexander’s Nightclub in New Street, said the announcement was a shock and a new blow to their business as not everyone would get vaccinated.

"I found out when everybody did," he said.

"We have got a meeting on (how to police it and the costs) later this week as at the moment I'm so busy trying to get the club ready for opening.

"It will naturally reduce the numbers coming in because there is quite a lot of people who don't want to get the vaccine for their own personal reasons.

"I don't want to get too political, we are in charge of our own health so if someone doesn't want to take it that's fine.

"But it does look like a two-tiered society is on its way."

Earlier this year Mr Fell told the paper he felt the industry had been “left hanging out to dry” by Covid-19 restrictions and had suffered from a lack of support from government.

James Newman, who is organising a rave at Unity Warehouse in Sheriff Street Industrial Estate this weekend, was also critical of the announcement.

Mr Newman said: "It's going to be a real challenge for the events and hospitality industry to keep going after that.

"I don't quite know it has just been announced but we will just have to see how it all unfolds.

"We are (currently) saying that you can only enter if you've had a negative lateral flow test and we've lost a few customers because of that.

"But at the end of the day there is nothing more important to me than to keep my customers and staff safe."

Jessica Charles, from Pershore, said she feels the decision will mean more young people will be likely to take it.

She said: "I think it will be a massive incentive for a lot of young people.

"They're not going to want to miss clubbing and gigs after 16 boring lifeless months!

"It does make me feel better about going to clubs knowing that people there will be protected. It will also mean they might stop blaming young people for spikes in Covid".

She added: "If that means getting the jab - I'd do it".

Meanwhile Worcester Warriors have said they have have, as yet, "no indication" whether the double vaccination rule will also apply to entry into sporting venues like Sixways Stadium.

Mr Johnson said in the press conference the new rule will also apply in “other venues where large crowds gather”, and did not rule out football matches.

A Warriors' spokesman said: "We will work with Premiership Rugby and the Professional Game Board to manage and put in place a robust plan for whatever the requirements are at the time.

"There are still just over six weeks until the start of our friendly matches and just over eight weeks until the start of our season, so there is plenty of time to put plans into place.”