A number of bars, nightclubs and event venues across Scotland could be lost, which could create a "cultural void" ripe for illegal and unregulated raves, a campaign to save the night-time economy has warned.

The Freedom to Dance campaign has launched with a call for more support and funding from the Scottish Government to save jobs in the nightlife sector.

A survey of more than 300 businesses found that 83% will have to make redundancies when the furlough scheme ends next month.

More than three-quarters (75.4%) expect to lay off over half their workforce as a result of the financial impact of the coronavirus lockdown - putting up to 75,000 jobs at risk.

The Chancellor’s ‘Bounce Back Loans’ will help some pubs, which is welcome.

For many pubs, taking on debt in the form of a loan isn’t a viable option. For those that do take out loans, they may not be able to pay them back and remain open after COVID-19. There are still many pubs without support because they aren’t eligible for grants.

These pubs are viable businesses, they are the social hub that binds us all together. An investment in pubs now is an investment in the long-term future of communities. When this crisis is over, the first place many people will want to visit is their pub. Without further, specific support, these pubs and their communities are in jeopardy.

The University of Edinburgh has consistently ranked among the top universities in the world for research and has been a pioneer of discoveries and scientific breakthroughs. Insights into the genetic makeup of the virus behind Covid-19 could help develop vaccines and possible treatments for infection. It has also shown its massive strength as a powerhouse of the Scottish Economy.

It would be foolhardy of the University to ignore the plight of the licensed trade in Edinburgh affected by the Covid crisis. There has already been a decline in the number of small pubs and bars by almost a third, with numbers down from 275 in 2001 to 190 in 2018. This is partly due to the opening of larger bars such as Wetherspoon. Whilst I welcome these venues, they are more likely to survive the months ahead with government backed loans.

The University of Edinburgh is proud to have a diverse student body, including over 14,600 international students from more than 150 countries.

The city of Edinburgh has long been the playground for Edinburgh University Students and is one of the main attractions to study here. Their website states "Edinburgh has a great nightlife and all of the bars, clubs and venues you might expect from a vibrant capital city."

Perhaps it is time for the University to put their hand in their pocket to help keep the students' playground open for business if it is to retain the draw to the city and its £300 million revenue from fees. The bulk of the money comes from non-European students. They would only have to sell a couple of paintings and perhaps a couple of empty buildings now that most of their teaching and admin staff work from home and learning is done online.

Pubs play a unique role in offering a social environment to enjoy a drink with friends, they help combat isolation and loneliness and help people feel connected to their community.

With a quarter of pubs closing in the last decade, we need to act now to save our pubs from extinction.