A GLASGOW venue has become the first nightclub in the UK to become an accredited Living Wage employer.

The deal is seen as a breakthrough in the campaign for fair pay and is hoped to lead to many more in the hospitality sector paying the rate.

Firewater, in Sauchiehall Street, is the latest business to agree to pay the Scottish Living Wage of £8.25 an hour, higher than the National Minimum Wage of £6.70 for over 21s and £1.05 above the national living wage announced by Chancellor, George Osborne last year.

The deal means more than 80% of the club’s 35 staff will get a pay rise.

Pat Hynes, a spokesman for Firewater, said the pay rise will benefit the staff and the business.

He said: “We are delighted to become Living Wage accredited and in doing so we become the only night club in the UK to do so.

“This decision really boils down to one main factor. Doing the right thing by what is our biggest asset, our employees.

“Simple. We also believe we will accrue other benefits. Our staff turnover will decrease and we will have a bunch of super motivated workers meaning our customers will enjoy an even higher level of service. A complete no brainer really”

Campaigners for the Living Wage said the first nightclub accreditation was a milestone.

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: ““The announcement of the first Living Wage Nightclub is a huge milestone for the Living Wage movement in Scotland.

“It is a statement that the Living Wage is possible in hospitality and that poverty wages need not be the norm.”

“I hope that other nightclubs will follow Firewater’s lead in the coming weeks and months.”

Staff at the club said the norm in the sector was low pay but this has boosted morale.

Morgan Horn, a staff member at the Glasgow venue, said: “"As students we often find ourselves struggling to get by, working in poverty wage jobs for companies who don’t appreciate the work we put in.

“At Firewater, however, it’s a totally different story with the implementation of the, real, Living Wage, not George Osbornes so called National Living Wage of £7.20, of which under 25s are to be excluded from anyway.”